Welcome to The Golden Hour

Ever wondered why some moments in your day you feel like you can conquer the world? Welcome to the ‘golden hour’ – that magical window of time when your productivity soars, ideas flow and you feel unstoppable

Imagine this: You’re on top of your daily tasks; your creativity is off the charts and you’ve got the kind of energy that could light up the entire practice. Emails are being sent out, tasks are getting checked off and reports are polished to perfection. You’re not just working – you’re thriving.

But then, it happens. Suddenly, your energy dips, your focus fades and you’re stuck staring at the same sentence for what feels like forever. What just happened? You’ve just exited your golden hour – the time of day when you’re at your most productive, focused and motivated. It’s different for everyone. Some people hit their stride first thing in the morning, while others feel their best right after lunch. It may even vary from day to day. The key is recognising when your golden hour occurs and learning how to make the most of it.

Tracking Your Peak Productivity

The first step to unlocking your golden hour is figuring out when it happens. Start by tracking your energy levels throughout the day. Pay attention to when you find yourself getting through tasks more quickly or feeling particularly motivated. This doesn’t have to be complicated – jot down notes or use a simple productivity app to mark your high and low points. Over a week or two, patterns will emerge, giving you valuable insight into your natural rhythm.

Once you’ve identified your golden hour, use it strategically. Prioritise tasks that require the most focus or creativity during this time. Whether it’s drafting a report, brainstorming ideas, or tackling a complex problem, make sure your most important work aligns with your peak energy. This way, you can achieve more in less time and with less effort.

Minimising Distractions During Your Golden Hour

To truly harness the power of your golden hour, eliminate potential interruptions. Silence your phone, pause notifications and let colleagues know you’ll be offline for an hour. Set clear boundaries and communicate that you’ll be back after this period. It’s a small but crucial step in protecting your most valuable time.

If possible, create an environment conducive to deep work. Close unnecessary tabs, tidy your workspace and make sure you have everything you need within reach. This physical preparation signals your brain that it’s time to focus and minimises the urge to multitask or procrastinate.

Embracing the Rest of Your Day

It’s important to remember that your golden hour doesn’t mean the rest of the day is wasted or less valuable. You might not always be in that high-energy zone, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s not realistic to expect yourself to operate at full throttle all the time. Instead, see your golden hour as a bonus – an opportunity to knock out your most challenging tasks while you’re at your best.

After your peak period, switch to lighter, less demanding activities. Use this time for administrative work, responding to emails, or attending meetings. This balanced approach helps you stay productive throughout the day without burning out.

Your golden hour is a powerful asset once you learn to recognise and utilise it. And remember, it’s not about comparing your productivity at other times to your golden hour – it’s about working smarter, not harder, when the opportunity arises.

So, embrace your golden hour and get ready to shine.