The most productive time of the day

Schedule and productivity are two things that go hand in hand. Each person can identify when their results are best. At the collective level, however, it is more difficult: the debate is still open. The most productive time of the day.

Time of day is a factor that directly affects productivity. We don't work as efficiently at 8am as we do 12 hours later. A person does not function in the same way with 20 days of work without rest than if he has taken four or five breaks during that period. It turns out that everyone has their own most productive times of the day.

Therefore, it cannot be generalized either. The most productive times of the day for some may not be for others. While there are more or less common patterns for all people, the truth is that education and habits also influence these patterns.

The point is that the issue of scheduling is very important in order to work more intelligently. This means you can get more work done while investing less time and effort. Let's see the information we have in this regard.

Productive times of the day and the daily cycle

The human body works in cyclical processes. The basic unit is the daily cycle, which covers 24 hours. This determines a certain pattern between sleep time and wakefulness. At the same time, it also sets peaks and lows in activity every day at about the same time.

These cycles may differ from person to person, but they follow the same logic. In the "daily cycle" there are 90-minute blocks in which there is a greater ability to concentrate. It can therefore be said that these are blocks of maximum productivity.

These blocks are called "ultradian cycles," and they coincide with the periods when the brain has the most energy. At the end of each of these, there is a decline in which our productivity level simply falls. They designate the time when the brain needs a certain period of inactivity.

The most productive times of the day

Based on what has been said, we can plan the types of work accordingly. Ideally, each person should synchronize the ultradian cycles with tasks that require more concentration or are more complex.

In the same way, it will simultaneously make valley dips or less productive moments coincide with more routine tasks. At these times, he can also do those that require less intellectual involvement.

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How to recognize your own ultradian cycles? There is no other way than to observe yourself and collect data. We all have a more or less clear idea of ‹‹what hours are most productive for us. However, this is not enough: it needs to be specified.

A good technique to do this is with a template. You can draw a line for each hour you want to evaluate and rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 depending on the concentration you managed to keep during that hour. After a few weeks of composing these notes, you will have a very clear idea of ‹‹how your ultradian cycles work.

The next step will be to analyze the data obtained. Then organize your activities in such a way as to make the most of both the "peaks" of concentration and the "dips". This will help you increase your productivity.

Work fewer hours and more flexibly

A study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revealed devastating figures. The researchers concluded that the longer a person works, the more their productivity drops.

This is bad news for lovers of classic patterns. It reveals a truth that many have surely sensed before. You get better results NOT because you spend more time in certain activities.

However, another phenomenon can also occur: if you work fewer hours, your stress may increase due to wanting to complete the same task in less time.

After much debate on the subject, it was partly found that more than the work schedule itself, work methods are the most influential factor in productivity. A person can be very productive if they are properly motivated to do so.

It is also possible that one hour less work per day is not of the same value as one more day off per week.

Currently, most states and conventions are moving towards reducing working hours, with the aim of making this move an incentive to improve productivity. On the other hand, many companies are already operating on goals rather than on time.

In this way, the employee can go home as soon as he has completed his goal program. The debate stays open with a clear idea in the background: working too hard without resting is not a good idea for anyone.