It's a familiar feeling.
You're sitting at your desk, trying to focus on the task at hand, but you just can't seem to get started. Your mind is foggy and you keep getting interrupted by thoughts of everything else you need to do. You might even feel like you're wasting your time because you're not being productive enough.
Sound familiar?
As I'm sure you already know, it's unrealistic to expect people to be 100% productive for 8-straight hours. Our brains are only designed to focus intensely on one task for a limited amount of time, and after that we need a break.
What exactly is productivity
In simplest terms, productivity is the ability to produce a desired result or output.
It is the amount of work that is done in a certain time period. It can be measured in terms of how much is accomplished or the number of tasks that are completed. Generally, people are considered to be productive if they are able to get a lot done in a short amount of time.
But there's one dimension of productivity that's almost always missed.
That's the qualitative aspect.
In other words, it's not just about getting a lot done, but also about doing things well.
For example, you might be able to write a paper in two hours, but if it's full of errors and doesn't make sense, then it's not a very good paper. On the other hand, if it takes you four hours to write a well-researched and well-written paper, then that's probably a better use of your time.
We'll go over the importance of these two dimensions of productivity—quantity and quality—in a bit, but for now, a little bit of history lesson.
Brief history of 8-hour workday
The 8-hour workday has been around for centuries, dating back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
At that time, people were working long hours in factories with little to no break. This led to a lot of problems such as worker fatigue, accidents, and even death.
In response to these conditions, labor activists started campaigning for a shorter work day. And in 1848, they succeeded in getting the 10-hour workday implemented in several countries.
However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that the 8-hour workday became standard.
The reason for this was mostly due to the efforts of Robert Owen, a British social reformer who believed that people should only work eight hours a day. In the US, this 8-hour workday was widely adopted after Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, implemented it in his factories.
The 8-hour workday has been the standard ever since, but there's one big problem with it.
It's based on the false assumption that people can be 100% productive for 8 hours straight.
How our work today differs
A lot has changed since the days of the Industrial Revolution.
For one, the type of work we do today is very different from the physical labor of our ancestors. Back then, people were working long hours in factories with little to no break. This led to a lot of problems such as worker fatigue, accidents, and even death.
Nowadays, most of us have sedentary jobs that require us to sit at a desk and use our brains instead of our bodies. And while this may seem like an improvement, it actually comes with its own set of problems.
For one, sitting for long periods of time is bad for our health. It has been linked to a variety of problems such as obesity, heart disease, and even cancer.
But more importantly, it's just not very conducive to productivity.
You might be able to sit at your desk for 8 hours straight, but that doesn't mean you're going to be productive the entire time.
In fact, most people can only focus intensely on one task for a limited amount of time before they need a break.
This is because our brains are not designed to work continuously for long periods of time.
How our biological rhythm affects productivity
This is where the concept of Biological Rhythm comes in.
Biological Rhythm is the internal process that regulates our bodies in 24-hour cycles.
Our Biological Rhythm affects a lot of things such as our mood, energy levels, and even productivity.
For example, most people tend to be the most productive in the morning, when they first wake up. This is because our bodies have been resting all night, so we have a lot of energy to start the day.
As the day goes on, our energy levels start to dip and we become less productive. This is why most people tend to feel an afternoon slump around 3:00 pm.
Then, as the day comes to an end, our energy levels start to increase again and we become more productive. This second wind usually lasts until around 9:00 pm.
Of course, these are just general trends and everyone is different. But the point is that our Biological Rhythm has a big impact on our productivity.
This was actually reported by Microsoft recently where they called it the triple peak day.
And if you're wondering, the implication is not a good thing.
Old-school thinking applied to modern-work
So, if our brains are not designed to work 8-straight hours, why do we still have the 8-hour workday?
Well, it's because that's the way it's always been done. The 8-hour workday is a holdover from the days of the Industrial Revolution and it's no longer relevant toless relevant in the modern world.
In fact, it's actually detrimental to our productivity.
If we want to be more productive, we need to start thinking outside the box and reevaluating the way we work.
Companies such as Google and Microsoft have already started to do this with their flexible work hours and unlimited vacation policy.
And while these may seem like perks, they're actually based on the scientific fact that people are more productive when they have more control over their time.
Bridging the gap
So, how can we bridge the gap between the way we're designed to work and the way we actually work?
Well, there's no easy answer. But here are a few things that might help:
Take more breaks: Instead of working 8 straight hours, try working in shorter bursts. This will give your brain a chance to rest and reset, so you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to work. If you’re doing knowledge work, one good place to start is applying the Pomodoro technique.
Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for our productivity. Most people need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night in order to function at their best.
Exercise: Exercise is a great way to increase our energy levels and boost our mood. So, if you're feeling sluggish, try going for a walk or even just standing up. Get a glass of water or brew a cup of coffee.
Eat healthy: What we eat also has a big impact on our energy levels and productivity. So, make sure to fuel your body with healthy foods that will give you sustained energy throughout the day. This is, unfortunately, one of the things we often take for granted—what you eat affects everything about you. You wouldn’t put diesel on a gasoline engine. But we often eat a lot of junk—sugar, empty carbs, and many more. It’s no wonder we all have health issues.
Food for thought
The next time you're feeling overwhelmed and unproductive, remember that it's not your fault.
Our brains are not designed to work continuously for long periods of time. So, if you're struggling to get through the day, take a break and come back fresh. You'll be surprised at how much more you can get done when you're well-rested.
Start looking at your company's policies (or perhaps research other companies) to find whether they support this thinking or not.
A company that "forces" you to stay logged on for 8 hours a day despite being able to complete your work in 6 hours is probably not operating in a way that takes into consideration the science of productivity.
This may be a sign to start looking for a new job!
Of course, every industry, every company, and every person is different. So always take that into consideration.
But if we want to be more productive, it's time to start rethinking the way we work.