Scheduling Around Your Energy

When most people are in search of a job, choosing one based on their own energy is not typically at the forefront of their mind. But if you think about it, all people have different times of day when they are the most productive. Additionally, no matter what your natural rhythm looks like, our minds and bodies are optimized for different undertakings at different times.

If you choose a schedule based off of your personal energy cycle, you will have greater productivity and a much better chance at being happier in the long-term at work. Depending on the line of work that you do and the position that you hold within your company, there are a few ways to do this.

If you are in a traditional 9-5 position and your job consists of a multitude of tasks that need to be completed every day, (in no particular order) schedule them according to your peak energy and productivity times. What this means is: if you are someone who has a burst of energy as soon as you arrive in the morning, beginning your day with things that you know require a lot of energy, such as: calls, virtual meetings, sales pitches, and presentations is a good idea. Additionally, if there is a certain time of day that you know you are the most productive- tasks that require a lot of thinking and focus: research, writing projects, data analysis, and campaign planning are all good things to focus on during this time. On the contrary, if there is a time each day that you know you have an energy dip, tasks like responding to emails, placing orders, and checking copy for grammatical errors should be reserved for this time.

If you are in a position that offers multiple shift options per day and has more of a repetitive nature, you will benefit greatly from working a shift during the time of day when you have the most energy. Especially if your job consists of things like heavy lifting or a lot of physical movement. We’ve all heard the terms “early bird” and “night owl”, and we all know people who struggle to wake up in the morning or can’t fall asleep before a certain hour. These traits are not typically chosen, they are built-in. Therefore, it is important not to pass judgement on yourself or others for being more generative at a certain time.

The fact that we don’t all have the same energy cycles is of immense advantage to both the workforce and society as a whole. Businesses and industries operate at different times depending on need, therefore it’s crucial that there is someone to cover all shifts. So if you’re in the market for a new job, this is definitely something to take into consideration.

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