Fresh Start Monday #021: Energy-based time management

We are trained to live according to a 9-to-5 social convention. Sadly, it is not designed around when we are feeling our best.

Every afternoon, I am hopeless between 1 - 4 pm.

Biologically, it's normal. It's the dip in our circadian rhythm. We're less alert and more sleepy.

“Afternoons are the Bermuda Triangles of our days. Across many domains, the trough represents a danger zone for productivity, ethics, and health.” ― Daniel H. Pink, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

Most productivity or time management advice suggests taking a short nap, eating a healthy lunch, getting more sleep, drinking more water, or going for a 10-minute walk. All sound advice, but why would we go against what our bodies are hardwired to do?

Since being self-employed, I'm astounded by how much I still function around the 9 - 5 structure. I start and stop working around those times. I still feel guilty for not having a productive afternoon. Until this past month, when I restructured my days.

My afternoons have become my dog-walking time. I'm in the process of creating an off-leash dog walking company. It allows me to get my 10k steps in every day outdoors. (Before it gets dark) I'm listening to more podcasts. I can still respond to emails and other admin tasks if I need to.

When I return late afternoon, I'm past my slump and reenergized by exercising. My eyes aren't tired from staring at a screen all day. I'm ready for a coaching call or to finish my day if needed.

I'm experimenting with working late too. Let's say 9 - 10 pm. Working late at night has had a negative connotation for me. It feels workaholic-like. But I can't ignore how alive my mind is at night. It's when I do my best research and generate ideas.

I don't believe in squeezing every ounce of time out of each day. But rather, how easy is it for me to work at this time? Does this flow? Am I forcing something?

Applying it to your life

For those who work 9 - 5 remotely, the same concept applies. When do you work best?

Most of us perform different functions in our job. If we split our role into five different categories. For example, creative, email, meetings, project management, and strategic. How can you arrange your day into five different time periods?