Josh Davis, Ph.D., author of Two Awesome Hours: Science-Based Strategies to Harness Your Best Time and Get Your Most Important Work Done, doesn’t believe that life has to be this way. He believes that the right metric for human performance is effectiveness, not efficiency.
Five strategies for peak productivity
Recognize your decision points: When we finish one task it is an opportunity to be productive
- Manage our mental energy: Identify our two best mental hours, and intentionally schedule our important work during that time
- Schedule your days around what your bodies need no matter what: meet cognitive, physical, and emotional demands intelligently
Stop Fighting Distractions
Our attention systems are designed to refresh, so letting our mind wander or taking a few minutes to stare out the window may help us to refocus.
- Leverage Your Mind-Body Connection
- Stay hydrated, eat smaller meals more often, moderate doses of caffeine and moderate exercise.
Make Your Workspace Work For You
Create a physical environment that is restorative rather than distracting.
- Choose a quiet area, with bright and cool lighting (rather than warm and dim).
- Keep your desk uncluttered and free from clutter.
- By setting up ideal conditions, you can use your best two hours to knock out your most important work.
