Among other things, we are biological beings (excuse the statement of the obvious!) We are influenced by cycles, also called biorhythms, some of which reoccur daily. One of the most common results of these cycles is heard in the assertion, “I’m a morning [or night] person.” Why not make it easy on yourself and play to these cycles?

When you align your activities and appointments with your biorhythmic day, things just seem to go more smoothly. Sounds great conceptually, but then how to do this when life happens?

This doesn’t have to be a big operation. Read through the below suggestions and think through or write about your own daily cycles. Just doing this exercise may be enough to help you start seeing things differently. When scheduling, let it influence your decisions without being something to get hung-up on.

Step 1: Think about your experience during different times of the day. Tap into your body experience, separate from how you tend to react to your schedule. Each time of day is followed by notes on my own cycles.

early morning: This is my best brain time. I’m alert, mentally energetic, it’s easy for me to focus, not feeling social.
mid-morning: Still energetic, a little less focused, ready for the unexpected, feeling social, good physical time.
afternoon: Energy level low, not very focused, prefer relaxing activities, feeling social.
night time: Not a social time for me, I like doing ‘mindless’ or repetitive activities now.

Step 2: Categorize your activities and place them in the time of day most conducive to that activity.
Some phases to watch for: your best brain cell time, best client time, your preferred physical time, best social/networking time, best ToDo time.

So for me that means:
early morning: planning, writing, idea developing, strategizing
mid-morning: client work, client appointments, physical work-outs
afternoon: around town errands, personal/social appointments, networking
night time: put on the groove music and get stuff done, grunt work, data entry etc.

Structuring my schedule this way every single day isn’t realistic, and I don’t stress myself out trying. However, since I’ve been working with a biorhythmic understanding of my day for several years now, scheduling with this “filter” has become natural.

For example, I make a point of allowing myself planning and writing time every morning by not scheduling client appointments before 10am. Also, I automatically schedule personal appointments like haircuts & dentist for the afternoon.

See for yourself how working with, instead of against, your natural cycles facilitates a smooth day!