In this business we’re all overworked and under-resourced. “To Do” lists stare us down with 60+ hours of stuff that needs to be squeezed into 8-10 hours… IF we intend to have ANY life outside of work.
Conventional wisdom says the solution is efficient “time management” but can it really help… enough to make a difference?
As good stewards we should be effective in managing ALL resources, especially time, but in the end you’re still only working with about 8-10 hours. Learning to manage that time efficiently can definitely go a long way but its only PART of the solution.
What if, after you’ve taken steps to organize your time, you were able to dramatically improve the OUTPUT your produce during the time available?
“Time is finite but energy can be expanded and regularly renewed. In physics, energy is simply the capacity to do work. More energy means more capacity.”
– Tony Schwartz The Energy Project and Author The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy; Not Time
Tony spent over 30 years studying energy management and during that time worked with Jim Loehr to co-develop (reconceptualize) a concept introduced by legendary business management guru Peter Drucker in the ‘60’s.
Loehr, a former tennis coach, became known for introducing two concepts into the lives of elite athletes in many different sports:
1. Positive ritual
2. 90-minute oscillation cycle: applying full-throttle intense effort for 90 minutes followed immediately by at least 30 minutes of rest and recovery.
We’re only looking at the 90-minute oscillation cycle in this article.
The 90-minute oscillation cycles were developed by Loehr after years of looking at the careers of athletes who lasted longer (and continued to produce excellent results) than other athletes who, although gifted and brilliant when very young, burned out very quickly.
He concluded that one of the most notable traits of the long-lasting champions was that they both worked harder and “played” harder.
In this sense, “play” was their rest and recovery time. When they were practicing and training they went harder and more intense than others, but they also took more breaks in between sessions.
This was an oscillating feedback cycle. Their greater amount of rest allowed them to put more intense effort into their workouts. Shorter workouts allowed them to recover better in between training sessions allowing them to sustain that intense effort again and again in the short run, which led to greater longevity and greater productivity for them in their careers.
The 90-minute oscillation cycles as applied to the workplace are analogous to these above-mentioned athletic and health principles. It has been found over and over again by business productivity and work psychology researchers such as Loehr, Schwartz, and others that people can function at 100% capacity and be more productive if they work intensely, with total immersion in their work, for about 90 (sometimes up to 120) minutes at a time, but after this immediately take a break of approximately 30 minutes where they do no work at all. This is repeated over and over until the work day is completed. (For our purposes, let’s assume there’s no “lunch break”, but that the worker is free to eat during any and all of the 30 minute break periods if he wants to.)
I know what you’re thinking…
If you slice an 8-10 hour work day into 90 minute chunks with 30 minute breaks in between it only leaves 4-6 hours of work time.
But this brings us back to the concept that time management is only marginally beneficial; what’s truly, deeply important is energy management… how much work is getting accomplished DURING the time spent.
The research so far shows that you can actually be MORE productive during your intense, focused 4-6 hours than if you’d worked the 8-10 hours straight with 30 minutes for lunch and maybe 2 - 15 minute breaks.
This concept was originally applied to athletic training but the principles and benefits transfer to business as well and might even offer MORE benefit in business application.
The benefit to athletes is a completely disengaged period of recovery, which enable them to perform again at peak intensity.
But the benefits for you are even greater:
- Focus: During your 90 minute work cycle you should avoid email, phone, any distraction that turns you into a multi-tasker
- Creativity: During your 30 minute rest cycle your brain can refresh. You’ve probably noticed that some of your best ideas hit you when your disengaged from work. This way you can schedule time for strategic , creative thinking to occur during the day
- Recovery: Just as an elite athlete, by taking time to rejuvenate you’ll be able to spend more time during the day at peak, intense performance levels.
So, what should you do during your 30 minutes of rest? - Eat something healthy
- Go for a walk
- If there is a facility in the office, go for a light physical workout or even take a nice shower
- Surf on the Internet (about things totally unrelated to work)
- Make personal phone calls
- Play video games
- Read a good book
- Listen to music
AVOID…
• Check for or send business e-mails
• Take or make business phone calls
• Do interviews or have employee meetings
You should “disengage” as completely as possible.
The rest and recovery period is crucial to success and health. It’s not just a break from the work being done in the 90-minute work session; it’s a break from work PERIOD. The subconscious mind is working on business solutions and ideas during this time, and the emotions and the body are recovering from their stress so the manager can be prepared to meet the next 90-minute work challenge.
Since you’ll likely experience “aha” moments during your downtime you might want to keep a notepad/pen nearby, voice memo device or some other method to capture those thoughts for later implementation.
ACTION STEPS:
It may seem impossible to fully carve your work day into 90 minute work chunks and 30 minute “off” cycles but you can always try walking before running. If you can’t fully implement a 90 minute oscillation schedule, try starting your day with just 1 or 2 - 90 minute cycles.
This is will also be very difficult to maintain when out of office or on the road but if you can at least implement the system it will be easier to get back on track when back in the office.
1. Pick 1 or 2 of the highest priority items from your task list that will have the highest impact on your business or personal life.
2. Block off the first chunks of your morning to apply the 90 minute on / 30 minute off cycle.
3. Go to the office
4. Ignore email, personal/administrative assistants, employees… any other distractions and get to work
By implementing this strategy first thing in the morning you’re guaranteed to end your day:
1. With significant progress on your high priority items
2. Actually “feeling” like you did something; rather than feeling like you were incredibly busy but have no idea what you did ; )
About the Author
John Tanner is a marketing consultant and founder of VAR
Strategy.
After a career in military intelligence John helped grow businesses in various
industries through sales and marketing, eventually finding a passion for
challenges and opportunities for business development in the IT channels.
VAR Strategy is a product of this passion and was created to provide
helpful information and resources to assist VAR's in growing their businesses.
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