I was listening the Harvard Business Idea Cast and was introduced to a great book on improving productivity by Tony Schwartz.  The book talks about productivity and how we can be most productive in 90 minute periods followed by a period of recovery.  We often find ourselves committing to focus on a project, document or activity to "just get it done".  Despite our best intentions to work long hours to do "whatever it takes" to complete the job, it is actually counter-productive.

The author recommends breaking up work in 90 minute increments where you provide detailed focus and follow the activity by a recovery activity that recharges and refreshes you.  In one of his examples, he explained how he wrote his latest book.  Instead of spending 3-4 hours working intensely on the book, he did the following:

• 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. : Write
• 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. : Eat breakfast and relax
• 9:00 - 10:30 a.m: Write
• 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. : Go for a run
• 12:00 - 1:30 pm : Write and STOP for the day

By working intensely for short periods and following it by a relaxing activity, he was actually more productive and the book only took 6 months to complete.

Using this example, how do you think you could apply this to project management activities?

You can get a copy of the book here:

The Way We're Working Isn't Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance