5:30 AM: Wake up.
6 AM: Eat breakfast. The best time is within 30 minutes of waking up.
6:30 AM: Exercise. Sticking with a morning exercise routine can be easier because the timing is less likely to conflict with other responsibilities.
7:30 AM: Send emails. Emails sent between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. are more likely to be opened and receive a response.
8 AM: Commute. On average, it takes Americans 25.4 minutes to commute to work.
8:30 AM: Prioritize your day. Make a list of the things you want to accomplish during the day.
9 AM: Work on the most difficult item on your to-do list. The morning is when you are most alert and can focus best.
10 AM: Take a coffee break. Aim for mid-morning to optimize productivity. Coffee is most effective between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. when cortisol (a natural hormone that regulates energy) levels are lower
10:30 AM: Schedule an interview. Avoid lunchtime and the last hours of the day because interviewees tend to be unfairly judged later in the day.
11:45 AM: Plan the afternoon. This ensures that you can take a break for lunch and be productive immediately when you return.
Noon: Eat lunch. Take a break and get away from your workspace instead of eating at your computer.
2:30 PM: Schedule meetings. This is the best time for meetings. People tend to have more time as the day wears on. One study found that this time slot on Tuesdays is the most popular.
3 PM: Eat a snack. Make sure you don’t have too long of a gap between lunch and dinner.
4 PM: Work on a physical task. Hand-eye coordination peaks in the late afternoon.
5 PM: Commute.
6 PM: Brainstorm. Creativity is at its peak when you are less alert.
6:30 PM: Eat dinner. Try to eat at least three hours before going to bed to maintain a healthy metabolism.
8 PM: Relax and pursue interests. If you have a side project or artistic hobby, the late evening is a good time for creativity as fatigue lowers inhibitions and opens you up to unusual ideas.
9:30 PM: Go to sleep. Adults should aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
7 AM: Wake up.
7:30 AM: Eat breakfast. The best time is within 30 minutes of waking up.
8 AM: Send emails. Emails sent between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. are more likely to be opened and receive a response.
8:30 AM: Commute. On average, it takes Americans 25.4 minutes to commute to work.
9 AM: Brainstorm. Creativity is at its peak when you are less alert.
10 AM: Take a coffee break. Aim for midmorning to optimize productivity. Coffee is most effective between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. when cortisol (a natural hormone that regulates energy) levels are lower.
10:30 AM: Schedule an interview. Avoid lunchtime and the last hours of the day because interviewees tend to be unfairly judged later in the day.
Noon: Plan the afternoon. This ensures that you can take a break for lunch and be productive immediately when you return.
12:30 PM: Eat lunch. Take a break and get away from your work space instead of eating at your computer.
2:30 PM: Schedule meetings. This is the best time for meetings. People tend to have more time as the day wears on. One study found that this time slot on Tuesdays is the most popular.
3 PM: Take a break. Make time to refresh for 10 to 30 minutes for the rest of the afternoon.
4 PM: Work on the most difficult item on your to-do list. The afternoon is when you are most alert and can focus best.
5 PM: Make a to-do list for the next day. Focus on the things you want to accomplish tomorrow and draft important emails to be sent the next morning.
5:30 PM: Commute.
6 PM: Exercise. This is when reaction time is quickest, blood pressure and heart rate are lowest, and body temperature is almost at its peak. Be sure to eat a snack before the workout if you haven’t eaten since lunch.
8:30 PM: Eat dinner. Try to eat at least three hours before going to bed to maintain a healthy metabolism.
9:30 PM: Relax and pursue interests. If you have a side project or artistic hobby, the late evening is a good time for creativity as fatigue lowers inhibitions and opens you up to unusual ideas.
11 PM: Prepare for the next day. Pack your stuff, choose your outfit, and take out breakfast ingredients.
11:30 PM: Go to sleep. Adults should aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
