What’s your “prime time”?
No, not your favourite TV viewing period—what time of day works best for you?
We all have a prime time. For some of us, it’s early morning. We can’t wait to get up, get started, and by later in the afternoon, our brains have had enough and we don’t function nearly as well. Other people seem to kick in after lunch and accomplish great strides by suppertime. And we all know at least one night owl—someone who thrives after dark and is alert and productive when the rest of us have turned out the lights.
It’s important to recognize when you’re the most productive and use that knowledge to your advantage. Are you “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” at 5:00 a.m.? Then get up and tackle the most pressing item on your to-do list. If you’re a slow riser, work at secondary tasks in the morning whenever possible and save the big jobs for mid-afternoon. The same goes for scheduling appointments and making important decisions. Unless absolutely necessary, postpone signing important deals or talking to decision makers until your prime time. You’ll feel fully alert and more in charge.
This isn’t always possible, especially when working in a corporation where others call the shots. If someone insists on seeing you at 7:30 am and you’re still on your first coffee, so be it. Meet with them, listen more and talk less, and ask for time to consider the important points they’ve raised. Promise to be in touch later that day – and follow through.
Today’s helpful tip:
For better results the next time you have to deal with a difficult situation by phone, use this simple trick: stand up. Let’s say you’re responding to a complaint from a branch office or a customer and have just dialed the number (during your prime time, of course). Stand up—don’t sit at your desk. Your blood flows better, your breathing isn’t obstructed, your voice will project and you’ll feel much more in control. Simple, but effective. Try it and see.