Do you have FOMSI?
We receive an average of 121 emails a day and the “FOMSI” syndrome (fear of missing something important) has gripped us with all its weight. So we dive into our mailboxes, first thing in the morning, to answer as fast as possible to the messages that fill them. Unfortunately, new messages keep coming in and it never seems to stop.
So how do we get organized?
Science tells us that the best time for our natural productivity spike is in the late morning. Our body temperature begins to rise in the morning before we wake up. It continues to rise until noon. This increase in body temperature means that our working memory, attention and concentration gradually improve. They reach a peak around mid-morning. Consequently, the morning is the ideal time to work on your files and think about your strategy. So let’s leave our mailboxes and instant messengers closed (on the computer and the smartphone!) when we arrive at the office, so that we don’t get distracted in the morning.
Tip: what if you simply turned off the wifi to work uninterrupted at the beginning of the day?
We work best by taking regular breaks every 25 minutes or so: having a coffee or chatting with colleagues and definitely not looking at emails/messages or our smartphone. Despite the breaks, after working in a concentrated way during the morning, our attention will decrease. Between 11:00 and 11:30 – depending on your own profile – it’s finally time for emails. Usually, this hour before lunch is enough to deal with urgent and important messages and plan afternoon slots for less important matters.
And after lunch?
The early afternoon slump is the ideal time for team discussions and creative activities. If you ask yourself regularly how you feel, you will notice that at a certain point in the afternoon, your ability to concentrate goes back up. This is the right time for a final concentration session. At the end of the day, a last look at the emails and the planning of the tasks for the next day to go home in peace.
As you can see, by following our body’s natural cycles, we are more productive and efficient, while taking back control of our agenda. Our QWL improves and our productivity increases!
Do you manage not to check your emails in the morning? Tell me about your experiences !
