FANNING: How you can worker smarter right now

By Ben Fanning, contributing editor  |  Ever noticed there are certain times of the day when you find it hard to get quality work done…even to the point of frustration?

Fanning

You see, not all hours are created equal. You are naturally more productive at certain times of the day. This acknowledgement is essential for your success, and not recognizing it can be like fighting human nature.

Identify and utilize your peak hours so they work for you…instead of squandering them and trying to fit in your most important work later.

Get your work done faster with higher quality

I worked for years without realizing that my lowest productivity time is around 3:30pm. I wondered why I would get so frustrated trying to write a blog post or doing a specific work analysis. Sometimes this frustration would even spiral into hopelessness.  Then I’d wake-up early the next morning and look at the exact same work task, and it would seem so much easier..  Hmmm…

So I experimented and found that my peak time is 5.30am – yeah, night owls gasp at this; however, I found my work was done faster, with higher quality and less effort. I just needed to go to bed earlier (hooray for DVR).

Try this one strategy to work smarter and not harder to increase your effectiveness and build momentum.

How to work smarter

This strategy only takes two steps to implement!

Step 1: Notice your peak versus non-peak work time

What time are you most productive? Feel more refreshed and energized? Then, what are your lowest energy working hours?

When you’ve worked out your peak time, block that time out in your calendar. Maybe you have to adjust something else to be able to use your ideal time… for me it was going to bed earlier. You will find the results are worth it.

Step 2: Prioritize the work for your peak time

Now that you have your peak time blocked in your calendar, prioritize the work you’ll slot into that block of time.  Be intentional about it. What’s the top priority on your to-do list you can action in this time?

Try this simple experiment to determine your peak work time

Identify one important daily work task.  Try it at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Note when it seems easiest and when it’s most difficult.

How does it affect your speed, quality, and energy level?  Now you’re on to something big!

Here’s to your peak working hours!

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