By Mandy Green
2 minute read
When you work in Higher Ed and wear multiple hats, being productive and efficient with your time is crucial to achieving your goals and helping prospective students achieve theirs.
Let me introduce you to the concept of “Magic Time.”
Magic Time is that glorious period of your day when you’re firing on all cylinders. Your brain is sharp, your motivation is high, and you have the fewest distractions.
It’s a 2-3 hour block during the day when you are 5-10 times more focused, energetic, motivated, and productive than any other time.
During this special window you can accomplish important tasks that might otherwise take twice as long at other times of day.
Most people use their email as their to-do list and just do random things all day.
A big key to reaching your goals this year is to be intentional about working on vital tasks during your magic time.
Discovering your magic time requires some self-awareness and experimentation. Here’s how to do it:
- Track Your Energy Levels: For a week, take note of your energy levels throughout the day. Are you a morning person? When do you feel most alert and focused? When do you feel sluggish or easily distracted?
- Analyze Past Productivity: Reflect on your most productive days. Were there specific hours when you accomplished the most?
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s natural rhythms. For most, magic time tends to occur in the morning or after a short afternoon break.
Once you’ve pinpointed your magic time, the key is to maximize its potential. Here are some strategies:
- Prioritize Your Most Important Tasks: Reserve your most critical and challenging tasks for your magic time. You’ll tackle them with ease and precision.
- Minimize Distractions: Clear your workspace of distractions, turn off notifications on your phone and computer, and let others know that you’re unavailable during this period.
- Time Blocking: Schedule magic time on your calendar as you would any other appointment. Guard it fiercely.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated and have a light, energy-boosting snack before your magic time to ensure you’re physically prepared.
- Mental Warm-Up: Spend a few minutes before your magic time doing a quick mental warm-up – meditation, deep breathing, or a short walk can help you focus.
Magic Time is the secret weapon of highly productive individuals. By identifying yours and optimizing your routine around it, you can harness unparalleled focus, energy, and motivation.