In the hustle and bustle of modern work life, especially for home workers, maintaining a balance between professional and personal time can be challenging. That’s where the 6-Hour Productivity Pledge comes in – a commitment to optimise six hours of your workday for peak efficiency, leaving the remaining two hours for planning, reviewing, and responding to tasks as they come in. This pledge not only boosts working from home productivity but also helps prevent work from encroaching into your personal life. Let’s explore…
Research indicates that the human brain operates at its peak efficiency for about six hours a day. According to a study by Stanford University, productivity per hour declines sharply after a 50-hour workweek, and the output of someone working 70 hours is no greater than that of someone working 56 hours. By focusing on six hours of high-efficiency work, you can accomplish more in less time, reducing stress and meaning you are not in the middle of a big project when the end of the working day comes – freeing up your personal time.
Furthermore, an Illinois Institute of Technology study found that scientists working only 20 hours per week were twice as productive as their peers working 35 hours, and significantly more productive than those working 60 hours. This highlights the diminishing returns of long work hours and the benefits of shorter, focused work periods. Win-win.
Let’s explore the 6-Hour Pledge and why it is great for enhancing productivity for home workers.
Start your day with a few minutes to open your DropTop™ desk, turn on your devices, and of course – grab a coffee! Go through your tasks and plan them out for the day and week. Set clear goals. This initial setup time reduces stress caused from overwhelm, and sets a productive tone for the day ahead – versus rushing into a chunky project with your mind not on task yet.
Organise your week with themed focus days, where possible. Dedicate specific days to particular tasks, such as meetings on Mondays, deep work on Tuesdays, and collaboration on Wednesdays. This structured approach helps you manage your workload more efficiently. Now, we know this may not be possible all the time but think how much themed focus time could increase your productivity levels, especially when working from home… no more context switching!
Use the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused intervals of 25 minutes followed by 5-minute breaks. Set a reminder when to take these breaks, ensuring you stay refreshed and maintain high productivity levels. A short break can do wonders for productivity. Trying to solve a problem? Take a short walk around the block – being in a different environment and interacting with nature can give clarity to even the most perplexing of issues.
Spend 10 minutes at the end of each workday reflecting on your achievements and noting unfinished tasks. This ritual, which helps you acknowledge your progress and reduce end-of-day stress, can also help you switch off for the evening as you are planning towards the next workday and therefore avoid the feeling you can’t finish work yet because you still have so much to do. Try organising urgent tasks as diary reminders for the next morning if you are worried you will forget. Fail to plan… plan to fail.
Every Friday, set aside 30-minutes for a weekly review. Assess your accomplishments, identify challenges, and plan for the upcoming week. This will aid you to visualise your progress and showcase where your optimal productivity is, analysing if there are any spots where it lags. Achieve more, in less time.
Implement an evening digital detox starting an hour before bed. Avoid digital devices and engage in personal activities like reading or listening to music. This practice helps you unwind and ensures better sleep quality. Better rest = more productive tomorrow!
The two hours outside of your six efficient hours are crucial for maintaining a balanced workflow and being able to switch off from work on time. Use this time for:
For home workers, the 6-Hour Efficiency Pledge is particularly beneficial. Working from home often blurs the boundaries between professional and personal life. By committing to this pledge, you create a structured workday that maximises productivity when working from home, whilst preserving your personal time. This balance is key to help prevent burnout and ensures that you can fully enjoy your time outside of work.
References
Steve Glaveski
Atlassian
