Key Messages
How To Maximize Productivity With Your Natural Work Rhythms
Do you find yourself at the end of each day feeling like precious time has gone to waste? You can take control of your day and make the best use of your time with The First 2 Hours.
What’s unique about this book is that it is not asking you to prioritize tasks, but rather helps you understand your body’s natural rhythms and how they can be used to maximize productivity throughout the day.
In this book, you will learn what habits and behaviors are stifling your productivity and how to break free from them.
It analyzes your work rhythms so that you can stop operating on autopilot and have an effective plan for utilizing each minute in the most useful way possible.
In short, The First 2 Hours is your guidebook to discovering and understanding why certain details should matter when it comes down to making the best use of precious time.
How To Maintain High Energy Levels For Increased Productivity And Focus
When it comes to getting your work done, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you need energy.
Without adequate energy, it doesn’t matter how organized you are or how perfect your to-do list looks, because you’ll be too tired to get any work done.
That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that your food and exercise habits work together to give you maximum energy throughout the day.
Eating a healthy breakfast will provide a slow burn of energy over time and help you avoid the mid-morning slump.
Lunch also has an impact: A light, 300 calorie lunch can keep your productivity up in the afternoon!
You should also make a point of exercising regularly.
Studies have found that regular exercise boosts blood flow to the brain and increases focus, plus it helps boost your happiness levels as well!
Aim for 150 minutes of yoga or walking each week and do most of your physical activities late in the afternoon when you’re starting to wind down for the day.
Finally, don’t forget about rest!
Sleep deprivation affects us just as much as being drunk, so try to get at least seven and a half hours of sleep each night.
People who have difficulty sleeping are more likely to suffer from productivity losses and unmotivated behaviour which isn’t good news if you want to be productive and effective with your work.
So remember – eating well, getting enough exercise, and maintaining good sleep habits can all combine together for maximum energy benefits throughout your entire day!
Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset – Invest It Wisely
The point of The First 2 Hours: Stop Giving Away Your Most Valuable Asset is simple.
Time is a precious commodity, and it should not be squandered.
It’s like currency, and you need to make the most of it.
Investing your time wisely will yield great returns for both yourself and your team.
Start by recognizing that multitasking only adds more time to how long it takes to get something done; research has shown that it even reduces productivity by up to 40 percent.
Rather than multitasking, focus on tasks that require more brainpower and have higher impact.
Reserve time for these important tasks when you are alert and undistracted – Vilfredo Pareto found out that 20 percent of your activities can account for 80 percent of your output, so consider what you must do each day carefully.
Realize that time is an essential asset, and take steps to protect it.
Guard your most valuable resource, and put aside time in the morning specifically for tasks with high intensity and importance; this will result in greater productivity all around.
How To Use Your First Two Hours Of The Working Day Wisely
It’s no secret that managing your time successfully is key to succeeding in the workplace.
And that starts with dedicating the first two hours of your working day to your most important tasks.
So when you come into the office, take a few minutes to reflect on what needs to be done and then shut yourself off from distractions – close the door, turn off alerts and limit other disturbances.
That way, you’ll have more energy and concentration to craft thoughtful emails or prepare complex presentations.
Moreover, avoid answering useless emails during this critical time since that could easily drain away all your productivity.
Instead, mark which ones require a response for later and also remember – not all emails actually need an answer; sometimes it’s possible to communicate better through instant messages.
So utilize those first two hours wisely by starting each day with a focus on your most essential work!
You’ll be amazed at how much can get accomplished just within 2 hours of dedicated effort!
Design Your Day In Two Blocks To Maximize Productivity And Availability To Colleagues
The second two hours of your workday are a great time to be productive and reactive without feeling too much stress.
After you take care of the most important tasks in the morning, it’s the perfect opportunity to make yourself available to your colleagues and tackle any new issues that have come up since you started working.
At this stage, your energy and creativity are still high, so feel free to show some flexibility and react quickly to any situations that come up.
These kind of tasks probably aren’t as significant for you, but they’re likely important for other members of the team.
Take this time to check in with team members or set an open-door policy where anyone can come to you if they have a problem.
You could also let people know you’re available by taking a walk through the office for a cup of coffee or work in a shared space with your team.
Even if nobody needs to talk with you right away, use this extra two hours to double check emails or help out on a project that may need extra attention.
With this approach, you’ll increase productivity while making sure everyone else’s needs are taken care of.
Make The Most Of The Post-Lunch Hours By Taking Care Of Low-Priority Tasks And Giving Yourself Rewards
Immediately after lunch, rather than attempting any major projects or tasks, it’s best to focus on small and low-priority items.
This is due to the decrease in mental alertness that typically takes place during the afternoon hours which can cause difficulty with attention, memory, and mood.
These tasks may include filing documents, organizing information, formatting a PowerPoint presentation, etc.
While tedious and mundane in nature, these activities can actually help improve your confidence since you can accomplish many of them without having to think too hard or use creative energy.
Once completed they are easily checked off your list providing you with a nice dopamine boost as incentive!
In addition to tackling low-key duties at this time of day, it is also important to take care of yourself mentally and physically by taking a break while staying active.
You can also catch up with coworkers or check social media for a few moments if so inclined.
Finally do not forget that go for walks are especially beneficial at this stage in the day; studies suggest they will help reenergize you and foster creativity for the remainder of the day!
Making The Most Of Your Last Two Hours At Work: A Guide To Reaching New Levels Of Productivity
At the end of each working day, it’s important to take the time to plan for the next.
This can be done by reviewing your day – check for anything that needs to be finished before heading home and aim for an empty inbox.
It may also help to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, acknowledging wins and assessing any plans for tomorrow that might need some tweaking.
On Fridays, use this time as a benchmark for what you’ve done in the week and begin planning out the upcoming work week.
Finally, using the remaining time right before leaving, think about what can be done to make sure things are successful when coming back into the office tomorrow.
Make lists and schedules of all important events and tasks, consider what needs to be brought and planned ahead of time such as booking a meeting room.
Taking a few moments at the end of each day provides restful relief knowing that you have thoughtfully pre-planned everything needed for success in the morning – without forgetting anything!
Wrap Up
The final summary of The First 2 Hours is that time is your most valuable asset.
To make sure you spend it wisely, prioritize your most important tasks when you are at your sharpest and reserve the mundane for when your concentration level drops.
In addition, make sure to schedule anything important so it gets done.
By following these actionable tips, you can guarantee that you get the most out of every hour of your day!
