Protect Peak Productivity Hours From Meetings To Prevent Costly Output Loss

Key Quotes

"If you have a time of day when you are most productive, creative, or focused, you don't want to give that time away if you don't have to. Structure your schedule mindfully and you may find yourself getting a lot more done."

Laura, the host of Before Breakfast, argues that identifying personal peak productivity times is crucial. She suggests that consciously structuring one's schedule to protect these high-energy periods can significantly increase overall output and effectiveness.

"The idea of focused mornings, more or less during business hours, and less focused afternoons, is pretty much the norm for adults. This also means that for most people, the opportunity cost of doing something outside your zone of genius is much lower in the afternoon than in the morning."

Laura explains that while individual peak times vary, a common pattern exists where mornings are more productive than afternoons for most adults. She highlights that this phenomenon means dedicating afternoon hours to tasks outside one's core strengths incurs a lower cost than doing so in the morning.

"Yet, studying time, I am amazed how many people don't think about this when setting up their schedules. Sometimes you don't really have a choice. If your manager, two levels up, wants to meet you at 9 AM, well, you should probably do it. But if you are setting a team meeting with a group of people you see frequently, and who you know are mostly still doing their jobs, why would you put this at 9 AM?"

Laura expresses surprise at the lack of consideration for personal productivity peaks when scheduling. She acknowledges that some meetings are unavoidable due to hierarchy, but questions the logic of scheduling non-essential team meetings during prime morning hours when individuals could be engaged in focused work.

"If you want to be more productive at work this year, one of the best things you can do is figure out when you are at your best. And then, as much as possible, devote these hours to the work that truly moves things forward."

Laura posits that a key strategy for enhanced workplace productivity is self-awareness regarding peak performance times. She advises dedicating these optimal hours to tasks that contribute most significantly to progress and goals.

"You can block some of your most productive hours for meetings with a particular colleague, who will then become your accountability partner. These aren't actually meetings; they are the two of you checking in to say what you're going to get done during these peak productivity times, and then afterwards, saying that you've done it."

Laura suggests a calendar management tactic where individuals can block peak productivity time by scheduling "meetings" with an accountability partner. She clarifies that these are not traditional meetings but rather check-ins to confirm planned tasks for these high-performance periods and report on their completion.