Timestamps
Bear: [12:32] to [15:14]
Lion: [15:15] to 17:17]
Wolf: [17:18] to [22:25]
Dolphin: [22:26] to [25:20]
Hey Zen Organizers,
Today, I want to share with you a tip to naturally boost your productivity: plan your tasks in the right moment for your chronotype.
What's a chronotype, do you ask? Well, it's "the internal circadian rhythm or body clock of an individual that influences the cycle of sleep and activity in a 24-hour period" (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
Each chronotype is designed to perform specific tasks in specific moments. You'll be much more efficient if you follow your chronotype and perform your activities at the appropriate moment for your body.
Moreover, according to Dr. Michael Breus, the author of The Power of When: Learn the Best Time to Do Everything, understanding when to do something is be the most significant element to be successful at something:
"You've probably already seen a lot of tricks and tips about the "what" and "how" of success [...] "What" and "how" are excellent and necessary questions. But there is another crucial question that must be addressed in order to make fast, dramatic, lasting improvements in the quality of your life across the board. That question is "when." “When” is the ultimate life hack. It’s the foundation of success, the key that unlocks a faster, smarter, better, and stronger you. Knowing “when” enables you to perform “what” and “how” to your maximum potential. If you didn’t change a thing about what you do and how you do it, and only made micro-adjustments to when you do it, you’d be healthier, happier, and more productive, starting... right now. “When” really is that simple, and that powerful. (Breus, 2016)"
Now that you understand how following your chronotype could help you be more efficient and productive, happier, and healthier, let's discover the different chronotypes.
Dr. Breus divides the population into four chronotypes: bears, lions, wolves, and dolphins. Bears are neither a morning nor an evening type, lions are the early risers, while wolves are the nightcrawlers. Finally, dolphins are the insomniacs.
If you want to discover your chronotype, head to Breus' website and take the test: https://thepowerofwhenquiz.com/. Then come back to read the tips to harness the power of your chronotype.
The tips I'm going to give you in the following articles about each chronotype are based on Breus' book.
Of course, the schedules he proposes are what your ideal day should look like. However, it's obviously not possible to always follow them completely. But it's better to put into place as many of the adjustments suggested than not doing any and getting absolutely no benefit. If you do want to make some changes to your schedule, try to put into place a maximum of one or two new adjustments every week, and see if you get some positive changes. Then add some more in the following weeks.
Here, you can find the links to the various chronotypes:
I have personally made many of the suggested adjustments, and I've seen great results almost immediately. So I highly recommend you try it. You'll be less tired, more productive, creative, and you'll be able to manage your energy levels throughout the day more efficiently!
If you do end up making some of the adjustments, I'd love to know if whether they worked or not. You can let me know in the comments below, on Instagram or Facebook!
And don't forget to download the free workbook to have a summary of your chronotype's schedule and tools to help you implement it in your organization system!
As always, I wish you a zenly organized week,
Sarah
Sources:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Chronotype. In Merriam-Webster.com medical dictionary. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/chronotype
Breus, M. (2016). The Power of When: Learn the Best Time to do Everything. Vermilion.