[Stress-Free] How to Use Your Time to Leverage Your Concentration | Google-Style Productivity Improvement Part 2

This article is a continuation of the following article.

Have you ever diagnosed your own internal body clock?
As I introduced in the previous article, human body clocks are genetically determined and differ from person to person.
So, this time, I will introduce how to use your time by leveraging your own characteristics.

What is your type? Chronotype diagnostic test

First, why not try a free chronotype diagnostic test to find out your type?
This diagnostic test is interesting because it also suggests a concrete schedule, such as the best time to drink coffee and the best time to do tasks that require concentration.

In this diagnostic test, I was a Wolf type, which is active at night.
The Wolf type does not seem to be very suitable for modern general working hours, and I do feel that my concentration increases from evening to night.

Ideally, I would like to work under a super flex time system with no core hours, but the reality is that it is quite difficult.

Therefore, the author recorded their own body clock and conditions for concentration for about two weeks to investigate the times when their energy was high and low during business hours.
They call the time when concentration is high the 'power hour' and the time when vitality is low the 'off-peak hour,' and by doing tasks suitable for each time, they increase productivity.

How to use 'power hours' and 'off-peak hours' to leverage your characteristics

1. Power hour (time when concentration is high)
   
   This is the time when your concentration is at its highest.
   You can achieve results efficiently by assigning tasks that have high priority and require concentration to this time.
   For me, I use this time for creating important documents like presentation materials at work, and for studying in my private life.
   If you start something and can begin that task smoothly, it means that time is suitable for that task.
   

2. Off-peak hour (time when vitality is low)
   
   It is best to assign tasks that do not require concentration (e.g., gathering information, expense settlement, etc.) to this time.
   In my case, the first thing in the morning falls into this time, so I do routine work that I can do without using my brain.
   There are also research results that say creativity increases during off-peak hours.
   It means that ideas are easier to come up with when you are somewhat absent-minded, so it is also an effective method to use this time for brainstorming or taking a walk to come up with ideas.

Summary

In this way, by recognizing your own 'power hour' and 'off-peak hour' and assigning tasks suitable for each time, you will be able to increase productivity while reducing stress.
Why not try using your time to leverage your characteristics, even if it's just 2-3 days a week to start?

Working and using your time in accordance with your own body clock is the key to enriching not only your work but also your private life.
Please try diagnosing your type and find hints for an optimal schedule.

The content introduced this time was learned from the book 'Google-Style Working Time Usage to Rapidly Increase Productivity.'
If you would like to know more detailed information, please read it.

Next time, I will send you an article about creating a space and relationships that make it easy for you to work.