Most people experience a peak around noon, then a trough until ~5, then recover
Not all times of the day are created equal. Energy, focus, physical readiness, and mental acuity ebb and flow through the day, following predictable patterns. For the majority of the population, we begin the day strong, then have a slump around 6-8 hours after we wake up, then end the day strong.
Effects:
- Decision Fatigue - people will start relying on biases and prejudices more
- Attention wanes
- Mistakes are made
Scary example
There are significant effects of the mid-afternoon slump in hospitals everywhere. You’re 3x more likely to be killed by your anestesia. Staff are 10% less likely to have washed their hands, causing infection rates to rise. Colonoscopies find fewer cancerous growths.
Timing Tips
- Schedule your important work early in the day, or later in the evening. (Eat the Frog)
- Schedule doctor’s appointments, interviews, and collaborative meetings early, too.
- Take breaks.