Sleeping and Working can have similarities if you wish!

Finding similarities between your working day and your sleeping patterns can be difficult. But I love a challenge and in fact I think there is a glaring similarity between the two. However after speaking to different people I know now why this isn't glaringly obvious to the majority and I possibly should rephrase my last statement to sound more like, I think there could be an obvious link between your sleep patterns and your work.

Apart from the smart cracks of my work sends me to sleep which I quickly reply, get another job. If you look at your sleeping patterns a little closer you will find that you slip in and out of different phases of sleep. They usually run in periods of around 90 minutes in duration and then another phase will start. Here is where I feel the similarity should occur. Our work day would become a lot more productive if we worked in periods or waves of time but more importantly, energy. Instead of working solidly from start to lunch, eat on the run and then work non stop till whenever the work is done, you are flat lining. You would be better served to think of waves in the ocean and base your working times on that. Work hard till you start to lose concentration or motivation and have a break then repeat this throughout the day.

Granted it works well in theory and we can't all just stop and have breaks whenever the mind starts to wonder but if you can do this in some way your productivity may just increase more than you thought possible in less actual working time. Interested? try these steps and see how your performances go. Even as a mum this is applicable so don't think when you hear the word performance this isn't for you. It applies even more so to you.

1. Become aware - Spend a day or two analysing your current methods. See how long you go without a break, how your moods alter, does concentration suffer, how much work really gets done and how much time is wasted. This may take one day or you may need a week but it will make you completely aware of how you currently operate and determine your baseline.
2. Map your day - As best as possible predict how your day will run as per usual. As a general rule try putting a marker in at every 90 minutes (just like your sleeping patterns). Then precede to organise your work tasks into those periods and if possible have a different task for each period.
3. Increase intensity - Go hard for the time you are working and get your task done. Create a sense of urgency and stick to your deadline. Usually most people by creating deadlines make sure they meet it. You will be no different. And yes you will make mistakes but that's life and you will survive and learn from them.
4. Increase enjoyment - Now at the 90 minutes or 120 minutes switch off completely. Take 20 minutes to participate in a completely non related work task. Things that spring to mind are read the paper, walk the stairs, eat, cafe, shoe shine, table tennis, walk the block, ring someone and talk about stuff. You get the picture but it's best to make it fun and non work related so at the end of the release you are ready to go hard again and churn out some great work.

End result; you can expect a more enjoyable and productive work day/life, more energy at work and after work because you have replenished your energy stores all throughout the day. It sounds great doesn't it. It is different to the norm but hell who wants to be normal.