Take it or Leave It: Productivity Advice That Might or Might Not Work – TPW405

This week we're discussing common productivity advice that might or might not work for you and ideas for how you can modify it to meet your needs. Even the best productivity advice doesn't work for everyone--but most can be adapted to work for you There's a lot of productivity advice out there, some of it good, some of it questionable. Whatever the source, each of us needs to evaluate any advice, tips, tools, etc., in light of her own life and priorities. Nothing works for everybody; our lives and needs are different and can change over time as we move from one stage of life to another.   I thought I’d look at some productivity advice I often hear or read in various sources and consider whether and how it might work for us, including some modifications and alternate approaches. 1. Get up early Lots of productivity experts recommend getting an early start on your day--the common recommendation is 5 a.m. There’s a lot about this that makes sense, like starting the day early to get a jump on your work. Early in my legal career, I liked to get to the office very early because I could get a lot of work done before the phone started ringing.  This doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, though. For example, if you work a late shift, if your sleep gets interrupted by an infant or insomnia, or if you just are a night owl, you might be more alert and energetic later in the day. Getting enough quality sleep is more important to our health, well-being, and productivity than having the early morning hours to work. As an alternative: Be aware of your own circadian rhythms and chronotype, and to the extent you can, adjust your schedule accordingly.  Circadian rhythm - “Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. Chronobiology is the study of circadian rhythms.”  [from Circadian Rhythms] Chronotype - sleep type (article called Chronotypes, Sleep, and Productivity talks about 4 basic chronotypes and offers suggestions about when to work, sleep, etc., to maximize productivity) 2. Establish a meaningful morning routine of meditation, journaling, exercise, healthy breakfast, etc. It's a great idea to start your day, as Amy Landino (guest on episode 276) describes it in her Good Morning, Good Life book and other materials, “on your own terms.” Easing into the work day in a quiet and nourishing way that nurtures our spirit, soul, and body is a wonderful thing that can contribute in a significant way to our meaningfully productive life. But this might not work for everybody, for some of the same reasons rising at 5 a.m. might not work. If, for example, you have small kids in the house who are early risers, or your work day (or your children’s school day) starts early, or you have a long commute, there simply might not be time in the mornings for a leisurely morning routine. That doesn’t mean your day can’t start well. Possible modification: Incorporate some of the elements of a nurturing morning routine, but on an abbreviated basis. For example: When the alarm goes off, before you lift your head off the pillow, take 30 seconds to stretch,