Do you know if you are an early bird or a night owl, or perhaps something in between? It is important to know what time of day you are typically at your most alert and therefore at your best for doing important activities. This is called your peak time. You want to schedule your most important activities during your peak time so they get the best you have to offer. Below is a quick test to determine your peak time so you can become a better time manager. To take the test, merely place a check mark next to the items that most closely resemble you.
1. You are chipper in the morning!
2. You wonder why on earth you have to get up so early.
3. When doing business, you prefer getting down to work before lunch.
4. A few hours after returning from lunch, you do your best work.
5. You would never plan to hold a meeting near the end of a workday, but you might schedule one at the time you come into the office.
6. Planning meetings after 3:00 PM is your standard operating procedure when you have that responsibility.
7. You often complete your business phone calls before noon.
8. You mostly talk with customers and associates on the phone late in the work day.
9. Bed time usually comes before the late evening news.
10. When you go to bed in the evening, it may already be the next day!
If you selected mostly ODD numbers, you are probably an early bird, otherwise known as a morning person. Although considered abnormal by a few for an individual, this is when people are most effective in groups. When planning your day, you should put your highest priority items on your schedule for the morning. Also plan any meetings with others between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Planning to hold your meetings at a time more convenient to others will insure more attend and few are late.
If you selected mostly EVEN numbers, you are most likely a night owl, otherwise known as a late-day person. Some people consider this to be closer to normal for most individuals, but there really is no “average” person. If you don’t work evenings, then you should plan your highest priority items for late afternoon. If you want to do your work during your peak time, then you should consider others when planning your meetings and schedule them late morning or between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM so others can get off work on time. Since you like working later hours (both start and stop times), you can stay at the office to do meeting follow-up while the early birds go home.
If you came out with an even balance between odd and even numbers, take the test again. Currently it shows you are confused about who you really are.