The Productivity Guru: How to Maximize the Hour of Power

What was the first thing you did at your desk this morning? Check your e-mail? Most likely, your morning routine goes something like this: You create a tentative plan for the day, arrive at work, turn on your computer, and begin clicking away on e-mail. Before you know it, it's 10 a.m.! Unfortunately, you're so consumed with new ideas, problems and issues that you haven't achieved any of your goals for the day.

You then go to a meeting, eat lunch, and park yourself in front of the computer to recheck e-mail. But, you still haven't completed any of your highest-priority tasks! It's now 4 p.m., and you wonder how you're going to accomplish them with only an hour left in the workday. These items continue to get placed on the backburner, and it's now time to pick up the kids from school. So, what happens to these priorities?

Rework Your Routine

Instead, picture this scenario: You arrive at work, look at your priority list for the day, and get started on the tasks that you consider the least desirable. You then set your timer for 30 minutes. It dings, and you move onto the next highest-level task. After another 30 minutes have passed, your timer dings again. Now, look at how much you've accomplished by 9 a.m.! You're now free to check your e-mail.

But, the difference is that you've already accomplished two of your priorities - or at least started them - as you head into the morning. This is called the "Hour of Power!" Remember: By utilizing the first hour of your day to accomplish the hardest, least enjoyable or most time-consuming tasks, you will reap tremendous gains in productivity.

Here's how to set yourself up for success:

1. Have a plan for the day.

The Hour of Power is pointless unless you're clear about what you will be working on during that timeframe.

2. Clue in others.

Let your staff members, colleagues, friends, peers and supervisors know that you will be using the first hour of the day to accomplish your highest-priority tasks. (Personally, I have yet to meet a boss who doesn't like this idea and would rather you click away on e-mail.)

3. Stick to it for a week, and evaluate the process.

Completely focus your mind during that hour, and be honest at the end of the week. Did it feel good? Did you accomplish more than usual? Was it really that hard?

I once heard someone say, "Earn your salary by noon!" Instead of being distracted by daily office disturbances, focus your time on maximizing the most important hour of the day. Most likely, you will see tremendous changes in what you can accomplish.

Talk About It

After putting these tips into practice, let us know how you made out. Did your productivity levels soar? Please share your stories with us!

Sara Caputo, MA is a productivity and organizing consultant who has been streamlining environments and simplifying lives for years through consulting, coaching and training. She believes that by creating more order in our lives and eliminating unnecessary chaos, we can participate more fully in all levels of life. Sara is the owner of Radiant Organizing, a professional organizing and consulting company, based in Santa Barbara, California. Sara can be reached at: http://www.radiantorganizing.com/.