When Are You The Most Productive?

Honestly, asking this simple question every so often can change the game for you! When was the last time you took note, inventory, of when you are physically and mentally more productive over other times of the day? We often beat our heads against the wall of time and agonize over how we can never get things done, or if we do, it’s not our best work.

Carey Nieuwhof refers to this in his book, “At Your Best,” as your “Energy Zones.”

Like most things in life, self-awareness is critical here. Here’s how you find it.

Journal one sentence each hour of the day that you are awake. It doesn’t matter what you write, only that you write something, anything. Seriously, it could be about what shape the clouds in the sky are making. It doesn’t matter. What DOES matter is that you do this small act each hour through this one day.

As you participate in this seemingly innocuous act, you’ll begin to notice a few of those hours that you may be inclined to elaborate, to write more than just one sentence. Don’t back away from this. Lean in! You’ve found it! You found the time that your brain is the most engaged with its surroundings and, I would argue, the times you are most productive.

Because rhythms of life come and go, I recommend you do this exercise at least twice a year, if not quarterly.

So now you know. What will you do with that time this week? Shift your calendar to the best of your abilities to maximize this time to its full potential. Write that chapter. Create that design. Mind map that idea. Get out there and do it.