Working It

‘Power hours’: how to make the most of your working day

Jul 23, 2024

Bestselling author Daniel Pink and CEO Aaron Levie discuss optimizing productivity by understanding individual energy peaks, chronotypes, and task alignment. They explore remote work flexibility, effective breaks, and work-life balance strategies. Aaron shares insights on his night owl schedule and the importance of accommodating individual work preferences for enhanced productivity.

19:36

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Episode guests

Daniel Pink

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Quick takeaways

Matching chronotypes to tasks boosts productivity by aligning energy levels effectively.

Regular breaks during low-energy periods are vital for performance, incorporating movement, social interactions, and detachment from work.

Deep dives

Understanding Circadian Rhythms and Productivity

People's energy levels follow patterns through the day, typically with a peak in the morning, a trough in the middle, and a recovery later on. Matching individuals' chronotypes to tasks and times can enhance performance. Most individuals lean towards a 'larkiness' pattern, yet a significant percentage are strong 'owls'. Remote work flexibility enables better alignment of work schedules with personal energy peaks, improving productivity.

Alignment of Type, Time, and Task for Optimal Performance

01:33

Intro

3min

Exploring Productivity Patterns and Remote Work Flexibility

2min

Maximizing Productivity by Understanding Your Chronotype and Taking Effective Breaks

4min

Encouraging Breaks and Flexible Schedules for Better Work-Life Balance

2min

Understanding Work Preferences and Productivity

9min

We all experience peaks and troughs over the course of a working day. Knowing how to manage them can make us much more productive. Isabel Berwick speaks to Daniel Pink, bestselling author of books including When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, about why people work best at different times of day – and how we can harness those differences to do our best work. Later, producer Mischa Frankl-Duval speaks to Aaron Levie, CEO of Box. Aaron is a committed night owl. He explains his unusual schedule, and how it affects his leadership.

Want more? Free links:

Fewer meetings, more memos: the future of asynchronous work

Waking up to the new sleep rules

Sleep expert Matthew Walker on the secret to a good night’s rest

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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