Published: 18 September 2021 | Last Reviewed: 8 August 2025
We all have periods in the day when we are more mentally alert, creative, or focused. For many, the “mental peak” comes mid-morning; for others, it might be mid-afternoon. The key is to recognize your personal high-performance times and use them for your most important work — your A and B priority tasks.
Expert Insight: According to productivity studies from the American Psychological Association, matching complex tasks to peak alertness periods can boost performance by up to 20%.
Work During Your Peak Hours
Plan your day so that mentally demanding tasks fall within your most productive hours. Use lower-energy times for routine work.
Example: If you find you’re most focused between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., reserve that block for high-priority projects rather than administrative tasks.
Taming the Paperwork Trap
Paperwork (and emails) can be a major time drain. Use this checklist to keep it under control:
- Clear your desk of everything except the job you are working on.
- Keep your workspace organized so essentials are always within reach.
- Handle each piece of paper or email only once when possible.
- Sort tasks into categories and prioritize them.
- Eliminate unnecessary paperwork and simplify what remains.
- Quickly identify key points in letters and reports.
- Decide what needs careful reading and what can be skimmed.
- Write clearly and concisely to avoid generating unnecessary work for others.
- Use interruption management techniques — set time limits, remain standing during short discussions, keep a clock visible, and use it.
