“We all have times when we think more effectively, and times when we should not be thinking at all.” – Daniel Cohen
While it’s true that all people are created equal, all hours are most definitely not.
The Problem with Time Management
The problem with “time management” is that time is not what needs to be managed. The implicit assumption of time management systems is that 7:00am-8:00am = 11:00am-12:00pm = 3:00pm-4:00pm = 7:00pm-8:00pm. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Throughout the day, your energy level naturally cycles up and cycles down. When it’s up, you’re capable of thinking deeply and getting a lot accomplished. When it’s down, all your mind and body want to do is rest and recover.
Nowadays, it’s popular to try to “hack” this cycle to get more done by resting less. Working 8-12 hours straight without a break is not uncommon. Most of us try to overclock our brains with refined sugar and large doses of caffeine. Some people even resort to abusing prescription or illegal drugs to work a little bit longer or faster.
The Robotic Ideal
Something is wrong when the ideal of human productivity is acting like a machine – tirelessly cranking out hour-after-hour of uniformly high-quality output day after day, week after week, year after year, with no recovery and no rest.
Like all biological organisms, humans need to rest and recover for peak performance. Taking a break isn’t a sign of laziness or weakness – it’s a recognition of a fundamental need that, by paying attention to it, will help you perform at your best when your energy levels are high.
4 Ways to Work With Your Body Instead of Against It
1. Learn Your Patterns – use a small timer and notebook to track how much energy you have during different parts of the day, as well as what you’re eating and drinking. If you do this for a few days, you’ll notice patterns in how your energy waxes and wanes, allowing you to plan your work accordingly.
2. Maximize Your Peak Cycles – when you’re in an up cycle, you’re capable of getting a lot accomplished, so plan your day to take advantage of that. If you’re doing creative work, carve out a 3-4 hour block of time during an up cycle to get it done. If your work consists of attending a lot of meetings, plan the most important meetings during the up cycle. (For more ideas, read Paul Graham’s essay Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule.)
3. Go Ahead – Take a Break – when you’re in a down cycle, it’s better to rest than attempt to power through it. Rest and recovery are not optional – if you don’t rest now, your body will force you to rest later, either by cycling down longer than usual or getting sick. During a down cycle, go for a walk, meditate, or take a short 20-30 minute nap.
4. Get Enough Sleep – sleep deprivation results in a prolonged down cycle, which gets in the way of getting things done. To ensure you get enough sleep each evening, set a timer to go off 1-2 hours before you’d ideally be in bed sleeping. When the timer goes off, turn off the computer / TV, go through your evening routine, make a cup of non-caffeinated tea, and spend the rest of the time in bed with a book you enjoy. When your reading comprehension starts to go down, you know it’s time to turn off the light and go to sleep.
What do you do to manage your energy during the day? Share your tips in the comments!
(Photo credit: clix on sxc.hu)
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To manage my energy during the day, I normally take a siesta.
There’s nothing better than an hour sleep during a hot, humid day.
Don’t forgot get plenty of exercise and eat a good healthy diet. My way to manage my energy is to make sure I have the maximum available for each day.
Oh and too much sleep is just as bad a killer of energy as not enough
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What do I do to manage my energy each day?
I am a morning person. I do more of my work in the morning. I never drink Tea or coffee for stimulus purpose. If I feel tired, I change my subject or take a short walk. What I mean by I change subject is I try to read other things that interests me such has new technologies, tips and trick on how to do things. This has been working for couple of years.
I completely agree with #4 – I wind down every night with a cup of decaf green tea and either an easy book or some “brainless” television (not in the bedroom). This is my way of turning my mind off before bed, which works wonders.
I’ve been reading “The Power of Full Engagement” and this meshes perfectly with the recommendations there (among many other challenges). It’s not about time; it’s all about energy.
I do all of my deep thinking and working in the morning. For me, the morning is the most efficient since I am a morning person. Working out helps as well because it gives me the energy to last the day.
Taking public transit to work allows me to work as I ride to work. That gives me another 1.5 hours a day of productivity. I also like David Silverman’s comment as well: http://blog.venturecooker.com/2009/08/06/david-silverman-the-50-minute-meeting/
I worked as a personal trainer for 5 years, including during the dot-com boom. In my opinion, this post is right on. I simply do not believe that the clients I saw whose physical performance was on a roller coaster were performing well at work. Not possible.
Here’s what’s been working for me:
- I became comfortable with the fact that not all time management systems work for all people so find something that works for “me” and stick with it
- I learned the difference between priority and balance
- I have a master task list (I use Toodledo)
- I plan my time in the office 8-5 in 15 minute increments with space to break between tasks
- I try to get most stuff done by 12 pm
- I block 12-1 as “me” time
- I block Fridays as a reading day
- I hired a VA (TimeSvr) – thanks Josh they rock!
- I pray for direction
If only more companies would adopt this type of thinking. Many companies throughout Europe have already adopted extensive break times for employees with fantastic results. Americans are too afraid of helping employees achieve wellness. Theyre more concerned with their bottom lines.
But still.. there are lazy people who make rigid schedules a sure necessity.
I hired a team of VA’s from TimeSVR as well.
They do a fantastic job.
I need to drink decaf tea.
Good post and review of the subject. The strange thing is that decades ago, the Scientific Management people wanted to make workers more like robots through time and motion studies and discovering the “one best way” to do every task. Today we’re worried about people doing the same thing to themselves. History does not repeat, but it does rhyme.
It seems like the most important part is “Learn Your Patterns”, but there’s no way that single paragraph gives you enough information to do that.
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