Job Stickiness: Post 1 – a series that can help us keep jobs or tips to make us stick in the next one
We all have times that we are most effective. Some of us are morning people, some of us are night owls, some of us will suffer if we drink too much caffeine later in the day and not be able to sleep or stay asleep or sleep long enough.
For me, my best times for maximum energy levels have changed, when I was much younger, I used to like to sleep until at least 7am or 8am. Today my alarm is set for 5:04am every morning and many times I wake up before the alarm goes off. The morning is my favorite time to write blog posts because everything seems to gel then. If I have an outstanding resume project or cover letter due for a virtual client, the best time for me to do that project is from 9am to about 1:30pm.
I was talking to a client about this the other day and she was saying that her clock works the same way. By 2pm, she starts to drag and would really like a nap. But catch her in the early morning, she can accomplish much.
By paying attention to the ebbs and flows of our energy levels, we can learn to schedule activities so that we do our most difficult “thinking” projects during the maximum energy time. Keeping our body clocks regulated with a similar rhythm all the time makes us more able to accomplish more. There are times when I will push the limit and either stay up late or just have one of those “no sleep” nights when I sleep a couple hours and then wake up for an hour or two. I can guarantee that the next day, my productivity will be low.
How about you? Do you find that there are times that you are most productive? If you schedule your hard projects during that time, will you get more done?
Watch for more on Job Stickiness Tips
As always, Talk to me… I Talk Back… 
This is a great point Julie.
I noticed that when the energetic moments come (esp when they’re later on in the day) people can tend to “waste” that period by trying to fit everything in.
What works great to minimise the risk of this happening is the humble do-list.
Making a do-list in the less energetic moments means that when you’re feeling peppy, you know exactly what you really want to focus on.
.-= Reeta Luthra´s last blog ..When Fear Gets In The Way Of Personal Development =-.
Julie,
Great photo for the post… really evokes the ebbs and flows of our energy. Two thoughts to share with you:
~ For exactly the reasons you mention, many countries still have the ‘siesta’ time, where taking a nap is the norm. One of the great minds (Edison?) swore by it. If not a nap, meditation, or even just a little quiet time to recenter can help if its an option.
~ Saw an article about “25 famous thinkers and their inspiring daily rituals”, and how they managed their day. http://ow.ly/XdS8
Keep up the great, thought provoking posts!
[...] « Maximizing Your Energy Levels [...]
[...] What do colored pens have to do with Job Stickiness? The previous Job Stickiness post talked about Maximizing Your Energy Levels, how finding what your best times to work (and sleep) can make you more effective both at work and [...]
[...] your focus? What are the consequences? Would changing your focus help you with job stickiness like Maximizing your energy levels or Colored Pen To-Do [...]
This is a great post, Julie.
I am one who is guilty of trying to “push the envelope” and stay up later in an attempt to get more done. Thanks for the reminder to work at being more efficient at scheduling my time and for finding a balance that works for my family, people I am trying to help, and myself!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Do You Know How to Auto-DM the Right Way? =-.
[...] previous Job Stickiness post talked about Maximizing Your Energy Levels, how finding what your best times to work (and sleep) can make you more effective both at work and [...]
You’re right, Reeta but you have to use it. There will be another post on the to-do list concept later but I write one daily and it helps but even there I need discipline to use it. I fully believe in putting accountability measures in place even if the only person you are accountable to is you!
Thanks, TJ, I will have to go visit your link later. I do use the nap concept if I have a later client and have a break in the middle. I will be much more productive and creative after a nap — unless I sleep too long.
Hi Melissa, you have a profile pic! Yay!
Many of the reminders I write here are as much for me as the readers. Finding balance is a continuous job for me. Yeses come too easily and with my “rescuer” personality, I want to help so much that I don’t realize until too late how it will affect the rest of me. Thanks again for the profile of this blog on yours! I love regular readers, http://rodneysjobquest.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/blog-review-design-resumes/
Yes, the profile pic was something that has been needed for a time (ties in a bit with the “change of focus” that you talk about in another one of your posts)
I’m the same way about the posts that I write for my blog. It a great way to process, to refine, to get feedback, and to gain a greater focus. It also lends to a greater authenticity because the readers have an insight to the person.
And it was my pleasure to write that review! Hopefully, more readers will come and learn from your wisdom.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Do You Know How to Auto-DM the Right Way? =-.