Hours and productivity are two concepts that go hand in hand. Each of us has times when we perform better than others. Indicating the times at a collective level is more difficult: the debate is very heated.
Last update: February 18, 2022
The time of day directly affects our productivity. Working at 8 in the morning or 12 hours later is not the same thing. Similarly, the human being exhibits a different performance when he finds himself working for days without a break. But what are the most productive times of the day?
We cannot make generalizations. Times that are most productive for some people may not be the most productive for others. Although there are more or less common patterns for all human beings, the truth is these patterns also take shape through education and habits.
It is important to take into account the time factor in order to work smarter, that is, in such a way as to be able to do more, investing less time and effort. Let's see what is known about it.
"I'd like to stand on the corner of a busy street, hat in hand, and beg people to throw away all the hours they've wasted."
-Bernard Berenson-
Times and cycles
The human body functions by means of cyclical processes. One of these, which can be considered the basic unit, is the circadian cycle, which is characterized by a duration of 24 hours. This cycle determines a certain regularity between the time of sleep and that of wakefulness, and establishes peaks and dips in activity, every day, at about the same time.
These cycles may vary from person to person, but they keep the same logic. A "circadian day" is made up of blocks of 90 minutes, in which you have a greater ability to concentrate. It can therefore be said that they are blocks in which maximum productivity is achieved.
These blocks are known as "ultradian rhythms" and coincide with the times when the brain has the most energy. At the end of each of these blocks there is a moment of decline in which our level of productivity decreases. They mark the time when the brain needs a period of inactivity.
The most productive times of the day
Based on the above, the ideal thing for everyone would be to be able to synchronize their ultradian rhythms with those more complex activities or those that require greater concentration. Likewise, matching drops or less productive moments with those tasks that are more routine or require less intellectual effort.
How to identify your ultradian rhythms? The only thing to do is to constantly monitor and collect data. We all have a more or less clear idea of ​​which hours are most productive for us. However, it is not enough to know it: you need to detail it more precisely.
A good technique for doing this is to fill in a table. You can draw a line for each time to be checked and evaluate it on a scale from 1 to 5 depending on the concentration that you managed to maintain during that time. After jotting down this data for a couple of weeks, you will have a very clear idea of ​​how your ultradian rhythms work.
Subsequently it will be necessary to make an analysis of the data obtained. Organize the activities in order to make the most of both the "peaks" of concentration and the "dips". This will help you increase your productivity.
Work fewer hours and more flexibly
Research conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and published in The Economist magazine revealed a shocking fact. They concluded that the longer a person works, the more his productivity decreases.
This is bad news for lovers of classic patterns. It reveals a truth that many probably have already guessed: You get better results by spending less time on activities. However, another phenomenon can also occur: If you work fewer hours, you may be stressed out at the thought of doing the same task in less time.
After a long debate on the subject, it was partly concluded that compared to the hours themselves, what most affects productivity are the working methods. A person can become very productive if they have the right incentive to be. Having an hour less work a day may not appeal to her, but one more day off a week does.
Currently, most states and conventions are moving towards reducing working hourstrying to make this move an incentive for productivity. On the other hand, many companies already work for goals rather than time. Therefore, the worker can leave the moment he has completed his list of goals. The debate is open with a clear idea in the background: working too hard, relentlessly, is not a good idea for anyone.
