GTD Insight #16: Peak Hours for Productivity

When I read Brian Tracy's Eat That Frog a few years ago, I was like most productivity thinkers: skeptical.  I wanted to build my daily schedule so that it would be fun, engaging and full of creative moments. Unfortunately, I live in the real world and that initial plan hasn't come to fruition.

Tracy's genius is not so much a rugged "get it done" mindset as much as a smart way to counteract procrastination and human nature.  A friend of mine once said, "Give to God your best time of the day," and I think there's something to that.  When I get into the zone before 10a.m. my day generally runs smooth. 

Stephen Smith has a nice experiment going, measuring his own productivity.  One key is again this element of using the morning hours wisely.  I've found that it helps to use those first hours to get things done, but also to eliminate unnecessary steps in the process.  When I arrive in the morning at work, there are a few things that I could do but have stopped doing as it slows me down early in the day.  These include:

• Turning on extra building lights
• Opening up public office doors
• Checking paperwork that I could check later in the day

I'm mindful of St. Francis of Assisi who said in the 13th century, "Start with what is necessary, then do what is possible.  Eventually you'll find yourself doing the impossible."  How are you spending your first five hours of the day?  By tackling one difficult task, you'll have more energy to accomplish it and you won't have "productivity guilt" later in the day.  Go for it!

Comments

[Adrian McEwen]

I do find those morning hours vital, and I think you're right in avoiding unnecessary tasks at the beginning of your day.

My GTD webapp will show me which hours are most productive and for 2007 there's a definite peak at ~10AM. You can see it on the right-hand graph at http://www.mcqn.com/tedium/examplereports/2/annual_productivity_report_2007.html#productivity

Since then I've been trying not to get too sucked into email and blogs first thing in the morning, and my productivity through the day is more consistent. Hopefully that's because I'm getting more done during the rest of the day, rather than less done first thing... :-)

[Mike St. Pierre]

Adrian, sounds like you're on the right track with cutting out what's fun but maybe not that essential.

Stop back often, MSP

[Adrian McEwen]

Indeed. It's sometimes easier said than done, but it's worth keeping in mind.

I've been stopping by quite regularly (you've been in my RSS reader for ages now), I just haven't commented before :-)

[Danny P]

WOW. Thanks for that quote from St. Francis! That new gem is now my daily mantra as I plan (and try to stick to my plan)... whatever the current hour of the day:

"Start with what is necessary, then do what is possible. Eventually you'll find yourself doing the impossible."

Thanks for your work on TDS!
-Dan