Take this quiz to determine your most productive time of day
I’ve discovered that the hours between 9am-1pm are my most productive hours, do you know what yours are?
The corporate culture established that our highest productive peak should be between 9am-5pm.
It’s time you establish what your highest productive peak is so you maximize your time and efficiency.
Step 1. Take the Morningness-Eveningness test and determine your score
There’s a famous 1970′s test called the “Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire” (MEQ). It’s designed to determine what your peak productivity time of day is. Click here to take the quiz (but first, finish reading the article)
Step 2. Do Your Most Attention Demanding Tasks During Your Peak Time
Once you have taken the MEQ and you determine your peak time, schedule the best time to achieve the most important things for your business. These activities require more focused and linear thinking or more motivation. During your peak time of day, you should choose activities like planning, math work, writing, client work, etc.
This also means that you should eliminate all distractions during your peak time so you truly maximize your time.
Step 3. Do Creative Tasks During Your NON-Peak Time
Studies have shown that when you’re less alert (outside your peak time of day), you’re actually MORE creative. Therefore, during your NON-peak time of day, you should choose activities that require outside-the-box thinking or creative problem-solving, like mind mapping, problem solving activities, and artistic work.
Step 4. Enhance your off peak time (if you need it)
If your natural work rhythm does not favor the morning time you may be at a disadvantage because there is still an expectation to get stuff done during 9-5. There are a few things you can do to enhance your off peak times if you need it:
-Exercise. According to a recent article, when you exercise, you produce Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a protein that acts on neurons in your central nervous system and peripheral nervous system to help your existing neurons survive and also to encourage growth of new neurons and neuronal connections. In other words, it helps you regain the energy you may have lost during the day.
-Stimulate your brain. There’s a lot to be said about brain teasers, puzzles and computer games that make you think, literally. I’ve discovered a few apps that serve as brain trainers, such as Lumosity Brain Trainer and Jigsaw Puzzle. I “play” for about 10 minutes right around 3pm- when I feel my brain slowing down.
