This is something I’m working on with myself at the moment.
I doubt this is an original idea, but I call it “morning optimisation†but it could be called “peak time optimisation†to be applicable to other times of day.
The idea is, to figure out when you are most productive during the day and take steps to optimise that peak efficiency time – e.g. scheduling the bulk of the day’s activity into that time, particularly any MITs (Most Important Tasks) as well as those little annoying chores that get put off (these are often the opposite of MITs, but don’t take very long and are likely to become a long list of annoying MITs at some point anyway if left
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I seem to be a morning person, so I am trying to make better use of my mornings, which are basically from when I wake around 7.00 to 7.30 until lunchtime about 12.45 (yeah I know, I’m not a hardcore morning person, the kind who wakes at 5am
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Some things I’m doing (very much early stages work in progress here!) are as follows:
• Follow morning routine
• Follow anti-procrastination rule (no checking personal emails etc. until lunchtime).
• Carry out MITs in the morning where possible.
• Clear small tasks/chores from to-do list (without spending too much time on each).
• Focus 100% on one task at a time where possible.
I’m not sure how this can be simplified into a catchy system concept, so to those reading, feel free to take this idea and run with it!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
This system is working very well for me on work days, I’m already getting more done at work, plus clearing a few little chores before work. On weekends it’s good too as long as I don’t sleep in! (I don’t know if other morning people find this, but if I get up later than about 8.30 my productivity and energy levels are severely impaired for the rest of the day – which is fine if I plan on having a totally lazy day, but not if I’ve got lots of things I want to do).
p.s. just in case anyone is wondering, my morning routine (developed after joining FLYlady) at the moment is something like this:
• Empty dishwasher / fold laundry / other little jobs as needed (nothing too time consuming or noisy - husband is still in bed!)
• Breakfast and quiet time/meditation or reading (very important to start the day in the right mood!) – 15 mins.
• Shower etc., get dressed (quick and easy as long as I’ve chosen my clothes the night before!) – 15-20 mins.
• Quick bathroom clean-up – 2 mins to wipe surfaces, brush toilet etc. (very easy when done everyday because nothing seems dirty)
• Put on make-up, drink water, take vitamins – another 5-10 mins approx.
• Check calendar & dairy / to-do lists.
I’m hoping that once I get a bit more streamlined with these I can add a few more things to save time later in the day (e.g. some food preparation for dinner).