Time Management Tip: Utilizing Peak Performance Time

Here is the thing about time…it’s finite. Although I have tried, I cannot find the way to make more hours in each day. Therefore, I have settled on becoming a master of maximizing my time. One of my favorite ways to do this is utilizing my Peak Performance Time.

So what is Peak Performance Time?

As humans, we work off energy. Maximizing our time is often directing our energy and recharging it when appropriate. For most of us, our Peak Performance Time is when our energy level is highest and able to be focused the easiest. During this time, we are more likely to reach a state of flow where our output exceeds our input. Since our time is finite, this is one way to get more done with less time. It’s pretty much a real life manifestation of working smarter not harder.

How do you identify Peak Performance Time?

There are different Peak Performance Times and various ways to find it. My personal favorite comes from Daniel H. Pink, author of the book When. He shares the following approach to finding your Peak Performance Time.

1. Find the midpoint of your sleep cycle on a day when you are waking up on your own, without an alarm.
2. If your midpoint is 3:30 a.m. or earlier, you probably have a morning peak.
3. If your midpoint is 5:30 a.m. or later, you probably have an evening peak.
4. If your midpoint is between those times, you are probably what he calls a ‘third bird’ with a mid-day peak.

How do you use Peak Performance Time to do more and live better?

Once you know your Peak Performance Time, you can begin scheduling your most important and toughest tasks, projects, or activities during this time. Strategically using your Peak Performance Time will utilize your brain at its strongest and yield better results, faster. Not only will this help you crush work and life but it will ensure you have more time remaining, providing the illusion that you have ‘made more time.’ Something we are all trying to do.