Psychologist 6 tips on how to organize the working day

Of course, there are many tips to increase productivity from scheduling events to custom applications on time management and exercises in meditation. And it all seems to work for some time, until we again delaying routine.

However, there is another solution. Stop presenting its day as one long list. It is better to think about how your brain throughout the day, and then try, in accordance with that distribute their tasks.

1. Cherish the first three hours

The first three hours of the day - the most valuable and productive time.

Instead of checking email, voicemail or to fulfill the request of colleagues, spend those hours that is especially important for you and your work.

Usually we have about three hours when we really focused. At this time, it is easier to generate ideas and plan their activities. If we squander the first few hours on someone else's job, we will lose the most precious time for yourself.

according to researchAlison A. Benedettia, James M. Diefendorffa, Allison S. Gabrielb, Megan M. Chandlerc.

The Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Sources of Motivation on Well-being Depend on Time of Day: The Moderating Effects of Workday Accumulation. In the middle of the day of our cognitive activity is usually reduced. Because of this, in the afternoon the same task may seem to us much more tedious. So it's better not to postpone the difficult tasks for later.

2. Think like a chef

How correctly to start your day? According to Friedman, it is best to have mastered this strategy in the culinary environment. The French even have a special term: mise en place - «everything in its place."

"Look at how the chef, - says Friedman. - They do not rush to cook, barely crossed the kitchen door. Instead, they carefully consider the process of cooking. First, determine all the necessary steps to pick up tools, preparing the ingredients in the right quantity, laid everything on the table. In short, the first plan, and only then act. "

Spending a few minutes in the morning on the distribution of their tasks, you will be able to better focus during the day.

3. Give the brain and body to relax

During operation, tired, not only our brain. From the point of view of physiology, our body for 90-120 minutes it takes several cycles. Then, the body needs a break. Continuing to work without interruption, you will notice that your performance suffers.

Always pay attention to the body's signals: if you start to fidget, yawn, distracted, or feel a sense of hunger, probably it is time for a few minutes to get up from the table. Ignoring these signals, you deplete its energy reserves.

Instead, to control the time, think about how to control your energy and attention.

4. Manage afternoon fatigue

Everybody knows this feeling: Lunch long gone before the end of the day a few hours, and you're completely exhausted. This decline of energy that falls generally into three o'clock in the afternoon, in line with our daily biorhythms. At this time the body secretes the hormone melatonin, the body temperature drops, and we feel sleepy. If you can not take a nap 20 minutes (which would be ideal), there is another way.

Plan at this time less stressful job, tasks that require less concentration and willpower. For example, it is particularly important meeting or job that does not need a lot of accuracy.

Afternoon energy slump is also suitable to focus on creative work. Our creativity is best revealed when we are tired. Plan creative task at three in the afternoon and you will see that a small fatigue only benefits.

The key here, of course, is to plan. Do not let fatigue grab your day. Distributing the time in advance, you can benefit from even an afternoon energy slump.

5. Determine for yourself the end of the working day

We often allow work to interfere in our personal lives: check email at dinner, before bed, even at night. Technical devices that we use at work and at home, make us dependent.

Disable multiple devices have a positive impact on your state, as well as the possibility of focus on the next day, but often refuse to use technology, even for a few hours It seems impossible. There is an exit. In order not to go in the evenings to work e-mail, Friedman uses different devices for work and leisure. "At the plate I do not have e-mail. I use them only for entertainment, but the phone already - my working tool ", - says the psychologist.

6. Schedule time for fun

More play video games. According to Friedman, it helps improve cognitive function. The longer we play, the more the game becomes more complicated. At work, it is often the other way around.

Charging - also a great option. According to scientistsJuriena D. de Vries, Brigitte J. C. Claessens, Madelon L. M. van Hooff, Sabine A. E. Geurts, Seth N. J. van den Bossche, Michiel A. J. Kompier.Disentangling Longitudinal Relations Between Physical Activity, Work-related Fatigue, and Task Demands. , Increased physical activity leads to a decrease in fatigue. But the paradox does not disappear: tired employees who brought the charge would be most useful, are less active.

Therefore it is better go up from a chair and do something to have some fun. Let this be a reminder to you that at work you need to challenge yourself and do not stop there.