It’s ‘You’ O’Clock

Time to build a work schedule that complements your strengths

You probably know that flexible scheduling is gaining a lot of traction as a way to recruit new employees. In fact, 34% of small businesses say flexible scheduling is helping them beat out the competition when it comes to hiring in a tight labor market. It also boosts the bottom line for businesses — by more than 3%, according to one study done on employees working at the Gap.

So if flexible schedules are good for workers, it stands to reason they are good for business owners, too. After all, the ability to control your own schedule is probably part of the reason you started your own business in the first place. But as is so often the case, that may be easier said than done. Especially, when you can barely find time to grab lunch. But allowing yourself to truly embrace a more flexible work schedule might actually be good for both you and your business.

Here’s why. While researchers find that most people tend to be productive in the morning, that’s not true for everyone. If you pay attention, you might discover your own “ultradian cycle,” which is a fancy way of saying the time you’re most productive. This article by productivity coach Dan Silvestre explains these extra productive times in detail, but the bottom line is that you are hardwired to be productive at certain times of the day and in need of rest or non-work activities at others. And everyone’s timing is different.

The ability to control your own schedule is probably part of the reason you started your own business in the first place.

Building your own schedule that allows you to work, rest, exercise, have fun and get the laundry done at the times that work best for you will ultimately make you happier, healthier and better able to focus. 

So how do you find the routine that works best for you? The first step is to monitor your current work patterns and take note of when you’re doing great work and when you’re struggling to get anything done at all. From there you can start to make small changes and see how you respond. I love this five step explainer on how to figure out exactly how to rebuild your schedule to work better for you. 

You know better than anyone that when you feel good about your work, you’re better at it. That translates into happier customers, employees, family and, most importantly, a happier you.

To do this week: Start paying attention to your most productive work times.