In your virtual assistant practice, or any other business, you are always going to have to find a way to schedule all of your tasks and those of your clients, into your 8-hour workday. Invitations, meetings, conference calls, email requests – you’re always going to have something waiting for your attention. When you are managing your own schedule, you have to decide if these engagements warrant your time, and where you’re going to fit them into your day. While the Power of No is an option, it’s not always an option.

What most people don’t realize is that it’s not about having the time to do something, but where that time is within your day cycle. There are certain times of day where you are more productive than others, known as your prime productivity time. Having the ability to focus and get things done in the morning doesn’t mean that you will have that same ability later on in the afternoon or evening.

For years, research has shown that human cognitive functioning actually does fluctuate throughout a day. It has found that for most people, 9a-11a is THE time to get things done. By 3p, however, we can feel like time is dragging on and lose motivation. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just in our heads. For those taking notes, my prime productivity time is between 8a-12p. While tasks still get done throughout the afternoon, my creativity and innovation are low in the afternoon.