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How long can you really be productive for in a normal work day?

by gingerninjas
15 replies
If you broke it down, how long to do you really think you get to be productive work-wise in a day and what do you think the ideal amount of time is?

While I think that I would probably estimate I could get 4 to 5 hours or really great work out of each 8 hours I try and be productive, I am interested to see how you break down your work day.

Whether you work a traditional 9 to 5 day or at other times to suit, how to you optimise your productivity?
#day #long #normal #productive #work
  • Profile picture of the author neshaword
    I used to be a 9-to-5 guy. Then I thought, great as a freelancer I'm gonna work less and earn more. What happened? I think I worked 10 or 12 hours. Never 8. The biggest shock came from the so-called hourly-based projects. For example, you work 8 hours, but you get paid for only 5, because I have to rest, eat something, do something, etc. You know how it works. The clock it ticking, but you have to pause it each time you're not actively working. So, if you ask how long is my "normal" working day, I can't give you a straight answer. Is this the price I have to pay for freeing myself from the 9-to-5 routine? Yet, I have some friends also in the freelance business. They're like, I word from 9 to 5 and that's it. Others are like, I plan to work at least 8 hours, but I can choose the working hours, including the possibility to split the work in two or more working sessions during the day. For what is worth, I don't miss 9 to 5. I'm honest about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    yeah the amount of time in a day you are productive is much shorter than your working hours ..the best time management may give you a little more time..

    the key is to constantly build and improve your skills to do more valuable tasks in the time you are productive
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

      yeah the amount of time in a day you are productive is much shorter than your working hours ..the best time management may give you a little more time..

      the key is to constantly build and improve your skills to do more valuable tasks in the time you are productive
      Call it "prime time," when I'm in the good mood, relaxed and ready for work. Usually in the morning at the beginning of a new day. As a day goes on, I become tired and I focus on projects I don't treat as priorities. Yet, you've mentioned the bitter truth. There's so-called net and gross working time, just there's a gross and net salary. Not much you can do about it. Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author creat3cp
    you could focus on the task which is most important. Draw a mind map to help you to organized your work. I have been using this method and it works great. I even create a free video course on this. cheers!
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    • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
      Originally Posted by creat3cp View Post

      you could focus on the task which is most important. Draw a mind map to help you to organized your work. I have been using this method and it works great. I even create a free video course on this. cheers!
      Please share your course, I'd love to check it out.

      Always looking for ways to improve my productivity.
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      • Profile picture of the author creat3cp
        Originally Posted by gingerninjas View Post

        Please share your course, I'd love to check it out.

        Always looking for ways to improve my productivity.
        here's the url: http://skl.sh/29g5u3A

        I believe there is a few free slot left.

        Enjoy.
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  • Profile picture of the author joansmith
    It is impossible for me to be productive in a world governed by fate.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kareem663
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    • Profile picture of the author creat3cp
      Originally Posted by Kareem663 View Post

      If your truly passionate about what your doing you can rock days that are over 12 hours!!
      Truely agree, if you stop thinking about money and focus on value for others..money will follow behind..you just can't shake it off.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
    Originally Posted by gingerninjas View Post

    If you broke it down, how long to do you really think you get to be productive work-wise in a day and what do you think the ideal amount of time is?

    While I think that I would probably estimate I could get 4 to 5 hours or really great work out of each 8 hours I try and be productive, I am interested to see how you break down your work day.

    Whether you work a traditional 9 to 5 day or at other times to suit, how to you optimise your productivity?
    I find I'm most productive when I work in time blocks....

    I focus 100% on a task for roughly two to three hours.... I then take a break and do something completely different for 30-45 minutes.... I go for a walk... hit the weights.... play my Bass... meditate..... watch an educational video on YouTube.... read.... etc.

    I then go back to my work... refreshed... and able to focus 100%.

    I can do three or four blocks a day without feeling mentally or physically exhausted.
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    • Profile picture of the author Reimaru
      Originally Posted by RichBeck View Post

      I find I'm most productive when I work in time blocks....

      I focus 100% on a task for roughly two to three hours.... I then take a break and do something completely different for 30-45 minutes.... I go for a walk... hit the weights.... play my Bass... meditate..... watch an educational video on YouTube.... read.... etc.

      I then go back to my work... refreshed... and able to focus 100%.

      I can do three or four blocks a day without feeling mentally or physically exhausted.
      Same here! Although I split it into around 1 or two hour blocks. That's unless I get into the "flow" though and easily spend 3-4 hours writing, translating and proofreading. It depends on your habits though.

      I think back when I was at an office job, my most productive hours are before lunch (split by a 15-20minute break). I usually finish EVERYTHING for the day (sometimes, for the week) by then.
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  • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
    Originally Posted by gingerninjas View Post

    If you broke it down, how long to do you really think you get to be productive work-wise in a day and what do you think the ideal amount of time is?

    While I think that I would probably estimate I could get 4 to 5 hours or really great work out of each 8 hours I try and be productive, I am interested to see how you break down your work day.

    Whether you work a traditional 9 to 5 day or at other times to suit, how to you optimise your productivity?
    Without a doubt, I am most productive later int he day.
    9-5 never did suit me, and since working from home I've realised this.

    I try to start my day a little later and work for 4-5 hours. I'll then have a three-hour break at the start of the evening for a gym or exercise class and evening meal with the family which recharges me for another 2-3 hours work.

    I rarely work more than 8 hours a day (if you have to do that on an ongoing and regular basis than your work/life balance is off, and you're potentially in the wrong job) however having the freedom to split those hours up to work them into my routine benefits both me and my clients. I'm more productive, and they get my best work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
    Hi, as I am also doing my medical studies, it's always difficult for me to manage time and maintain focus. From 9-5 I a am dead man, going to college and studying "cool' stuff. At evenings, usually, I begin working on my freelance and referral projects(also a little 'play around' with my blog too). But most of the days my work efficiency is less than 50% (which means, about half the time wasted on distractions).
    Recently, I have been banging my head - trying to crack a solution for my "easily distracted' problem. So far only one thing has worked for me: Shutting down wifi, throwing the cell phone away(in another room), locking up my room's door - all isolated, and then working in short bursts of extreme focus. These short bursts of focus (it could be 30 minutes or even 20 minutes too) has leveled up my work efficiency near to 80% approx.
    I also take short breaks in between to keep bribing my 'reward' side of brain.
    Great question btw. Much appreciated. Thanks
    Junaid
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  • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
    Thanks for your comments everyone, it's sounding like short bursts are really the way to go.

    I do this as well, although it's probably not too formalised. I am going to start writing this down and get more of a formalised pattern together. When you calculate the hours worked weekly, monthly and yearly, it could make quite a bit of difference (I could be sitting on a beach using up those extra hours I often lose in a work week).

    Keep the comments coming as I am interested to hear what works for each individual..
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  • Profile picture of the author John Jonas Phil VA
    I work at least 5 hours per day and 8 hours max. Beyond that I'm useless. And I'm more of a morning person. I'm most productive in the morning so I try to get as much work done as I can before lunch. After lunch, I work 3 hours maximum and take it easy for the rest of the day.
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  • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
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    Depending on the project, as long as 16 hours and I often do my best work once and the sun drops over the horizon.
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