Since getting some coaching from a mentor I’ve realised that I need to make the most of my most productive time, which turns out to be between about 7 and 11am. After that I get less and less focused – at 2/3pm I am completely useless if left to myself, so I try to schedule meetings with others then, to perk me up. I hit another productivity peak at around 6pm. It’s quite frustrating that much of the traditional working day isn’t actually that great a time for me to get work done!

I don’t think there’s nearly enough awareness about peak productivity times; I get so much more done now than I used to, just knowing when is a good time to work. Employers might usefully be educated about this, too; I’m sure most would rather their workers were more productive than sticking to the traditional 9-5.

Crazy as it sounds, I get my best ideas in the shower (apologies for the mental image). I don’t know it it’s pyschosomatic, but for some reason fresh ideas and solutions to sticky problems just seem to pop into my mind without mercy. In some ways, it’s a blessing: I get this stream of consciousness stuff every morning before my day starts and every evening at the end of the work day. Now, all I need is waterproof dictaphone.

Great article. Looking forward to the next one!

Our peak or non-peak cycles also depend on what and when we eat. A greasy breakfast can cause mid-morning sluggishness. Similarly a heavy high-carb lunch will usually cause the energy to drop within 2-3 hours. Most of us spend most of our energies digesting difficult foods.

I have figured I can stay at my peak and maintain a high level of energy and enthusiasm by managing the meals properly. Fruit juices in the morning, banana as mid morning snack, vegetable salad for lunch, dried fruits for afternoon snack, lots of water and green tea in between. Try it and you will be at your peak all day, and night