Productivity Archives - Page 3 of 3

How To Align Work With Your Energy Levels I recently returned from our annual family trip to Japan. I love visiting Japan! It was a great holiday, but since we were visiting family and friends, it wasn't as relaxing as a typical beach vacation. Plus Japan in summer is VERY hot and humid which makes it quite difficult to sleep. So I returned feeling a little more tired than refreshed! As it turned out though, this was a blessing in disguise! During those first couple of days back, I took it easier than usual in an effort to recover. And while taking an extra walk or two with my dogs, I happened to listen to some podcasts that heavily influenced how I approached my work over the next few days. They've had such a positive effect on me, I thought I'd share the main ideas with you! Embrace Your Natural Energy Rhythms One podcast that resonated with me was a recent episode of the Financial Times' "Working It" podcast titled "Power hours—how to make the most of your working day." The key takeaway? Align your tasks with your natural energy levels. According to Daniel Pink the author of "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing," most of us experience a peak in energy early in the day, a trough in the middle, and a recovery later. He says that by understanding and working with these rhythms, we can optimise our performance. For instance, he recommends you save your heads-down, focused work for when you’re at your peak. And use the midday trough for routine tasks that don't require heavy brainpower. For me, this realisation really hit home. The first week back, I noticed my energy levels dipping around midday. But instead of pushing through like I usually do, I started transitioning to lower-level admin work and taking longer breaks. I even treated myself to an early afternoon trip to the sauna one day, which was a refreshing change! Flexibility Is Key Another important point discussed was the power of flexible schedules. As remote workers, we have the unique advantage of setting our own hours. So, why not take full advantage of this and structure your day around your personal energy peaks? In the weeks after my trip, my energy levels fluctuated more than usual, so I experimented with my schedule. Some days, I felt energised in the morning and was able to concentrate on big projects right from the start. On some mornings I was low on energy and motivation, so after dealing with some easier tasks like clearing my email inbox I headed to the gym. And on other days, I seemed to get a boost of energy later in the afternoon and decided to work later into the evening. When I was intentional about adapting my day around energy levels like this, it allowed me to be more productive without feeling drained. Take More Breaks The episode also stressed the importance of taking breaks, particularly during energy troughs. Effective breaks aren't just about stepping away from your desk. Research suggests that breaks should be completely detached (ie no screens!), involve physical movement, and ideally, be taken outside with others. Even a short, five-minute break can recharge you. Personally, I found my extra dog walks to be a perfect way to reset and refocus. Inspired by this, I made it a point to take more frequent breaks. I took the dogs for longer walks, which not only benefited them but also gave me a much-needed mental break. These walks became a highlight of my day, helping me return to work with renewed energy. Measure by Results, Not Hours One of the most liberating ideas from the podcast was the emphasis on measuring work by results rather than hours spent. This approach not only fosters productivity but also respects individual work patterns. For example, Aaron Levie, the CEO of Box, shared how he structures his day to accommodate his night owl tendencies, often working late into the night. His story reinforced the idea that productivity doesn't have to fit into a traditional 9-to-5 mould. Taking this to heart, I stopped worrying about the number of hours I was clocking and focussed on the quality of my work. Some days were longer, others shorter, but I found that I actually got a lot more done over the week without burning out. Managers, Take Note For those of you in managerial roles, the podcast offered some valuable advice. Be mindful of your team’s energy levels and try to schedule meetings and deadlines that align with their peaks. Encourage regular breaks and model this behavior yourself. I manage a team of 5 myself and have made sure I let them know when I am stepping out for a midday walk. I'm hoping this will have a positive effect and lead to them stepping away from their screens a little more! Make The Best Of Remote Work Freedom! Implementing these strategies has already made a significant difference in how I work. I feel more in tune with my natural rhythms and less guilty about stepping away for breaks. I encourage you to give these ideas a try and see how they can improve your productivity and well-being. As remote work professionals, we have the freedom to design our workdays in ways that suit us best... so let's make the most of it! Until next time, stay productive and take care of yourself.