How to Find Your Most Productive Hours

Photo by kris on Unsplash

First, let me explain that this article is mostly for people who work from home. That being said, though, the information provided can be adapted to a 9 to 5 work schedule. Figure out what works best for you.

One thing I’ve known for a long time about myself is that I don’t work best from 9 to 5. My most productive hours are in the early morning through the early afternoon. After 2pm I don’t get much done unless life has gotten in the way and totally messed with my schedule. In that case, I do what I have to do to get back on track, but I definitely don’t have the drive that I do in the earlier part of the day.

Here are some tips to help you figure out what your most productive hours are:

Experiment with Your Sleep Schedule

Figure out what your body likes the best. Are you a “night owl” or a “morning lark?” Even if you think you might know, give each type of schedule a try. Get up at 6am and see how much you can get done before lunch. Similarly, do some work after dinner and into the late evening hours and see how much you accomplish.

Keep Track with A Journal

Keep track of the information above in your journal. Take note of periods of inactivity and activity. Write down the times, the project you worked on, your mood, and other important details like…