Today is Wednesday, so this post is on outstanding performance.
I read an interesting piece in Psychology Today on circadian type – your body clock -- in plain English. “The part of the brain that regulates you ability to think clearly and solve problems is heavily influenced by the body clock”, says David Dinges, of the University of Pennsylvania.
The article concluded with some common sense advice. “The best way to make your inner clock work for you? Don’t fight it.”
I agree. I learned a long time ago that I have two time of peak energy – the early morning and late afternoon. These are my productive times. I have the most energy and am the most creative and productive from about 6:30 in the morning till 11:30 am. I have a little lull until about 3:00 pm. Then my energy kicks in again and I am very productive until about 7:00 pm.
There is great value in knowing this. When I am in my office, and not on the road working with clients, I schedule creative tasks – like writing this blog and my www.CommonSenseGuy.com blog. I use it to write proposal, copy for my web sites, sales letters – anything where I need to be clear, crisp and concise. Also, I schedule coaching phone calls for this time of the day.
I use the midday hours to do routine things – sending invoices, opening and reading mail, reading the papers, making travel arrangements, returning phone calls to schedule meetings etc. I run errands in this time period. Yesterday, I made a quick stop at my ear doctor to pick up hearing aids (yes, sadly I’m getting old), got the car washed (it was filthy after a lot of driving this weekend) and picked up some birthday cards for clients and friends.
I wrote this post at bout 4:00 pm yesterday. Typically, I write in the late afternoon. I usually have at least one book project going. I work on my books in the late afternoon and early evening.
The point of all this? I know when I have a lot of creativity and energy (early and late in the day). And I know that midday is a time when my energy is low and my creativity nearly non existent. So, I do creative things early and late and routine things in the middle of the day. In this way, I am productive. High productivity is the hallmark of high performers.
When are your peak times? Are you scheduling your day to take advantage of your peak times?
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blogs: www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be; and www.CommonSenseDay.com to learn more about Use Your Common Sense Day -- November 4, and to read stories of common sense in action.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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