How Well Do We Know Ourselves
Your working style is something you need to make work for you to ensure you are productive. I refer to working style as where and how you work - your habits, rhythm of the day, location and time. It's something that works with your particular personality, lifestyle and available hours. Depending on your commitments and how much control you have over your work this is something that you can tailor yourself to enable you to work smarter and more efficiently. As a human being and someone who is not perfect I sometimes fail to practice what I preach! But when it works it works!
When Do You Work
If you are a night owl and hate mornings then it doesn't make sense to wake early and try to be creative, find solutions to problems and work efficiently. It may not always be practical, but if you are able to manage your workload or time, make sure you really make use of the time of day that you are more efficient. I am an early bird and like to wake early and like to make a good head start on the day. I am efficient in the morning and afternoon and try to avoid regularly working long into the evenings. However, when you have small children, you may need to work around them and their nap times, nursery/school runs etc. My children are a little older now, but they still come home at 4.00pm so I know I have to stop around that time, at least for an hour or two.
How Long Do You Work
How long can you work for before you need a break? Can you productively work for an hour before you need a short break, or can you work for a couple of hours straight before you need to stretch your legs and grab a cup of tea? If I am concentrating hard for more than an hour I usually need a break and so that is when I get up and move around for a couple of minutes, get a drink or a bite to eat and then I'm good to go again. It doesn't need to be long, I just a short break away from the screen, to think and look at something else for five minutes. If I continue to work through the brain fog I burn out quicker in the afternoon and my productivity wanes.
Where Do You Work
Again, this is not always easy if you are an employee in an office, but the location of your working space can also make all the difference. If you are distracted by lots of people or noise then find somewhere quiet to work. I am used to a house full of noise so noise and I sometimes work with the radio on. It is also a good idea to work where there is lots of natural light and I always try to work by a window.
Where Do You Take Your Break
Do you go for a walk around the block at lunch time or do something that takes you away from work for at least an hour during the day? I ensure that I go out for a walk if I have been working from home all day even if it is just for 20 minutes. I return feeling refreshed and able to focus. Even when I was working in an office I had to go out and stretch my legs at lunch time and it made all the difference.
Lifestyle Habits
Good lifestyle habits do not always seem achievable, despite our good intentions. However, to keep sane and keep my energy levels up I try to exercise four times a week (especially now I do not commute and so can be at home most of the day) and eat regular meals. A routine helps me to be more productive. Getting 8 hours of sleep is also one of the most important things I try to achieve. There is more and more research to suggest that lack of sufficient sleep (7-8 hours) is responsible for a myriad of diseases and health problems. Read Matthew Walker's 'Why We Sleep' and you will never take your sleep for granted again!
To Sum Up
This may seem like a collection of cliches and all easier said than done. You may have children to work around and other commitments that take up your day. Sometimes it all depends on your mood and what you have on your schedule . However, sometimes it's surprising how making small changes can accumulate and have a positive impact on your workload. You may be losing valuable productive working time if you are constantly sailing against the wind. Understanding your working style can help you work more efficiently.