Gen Z Working: Organization
Gigi Goebel
Head of Growth and Customer Experience at BillionMinds - Helping people embrace their working style in the new normal of work. Travel enthusiast and Gen Z advocate often referred to as "refreshingly bonkers."
Once we’re feeling “Ready” for work, we can start to move up the pyramid to Organization. To succeed in the modern work environment, being organized is essential—and this is highly personal. It’s not just about how we organize our files; it includes our calendars, our time, our relationships, and our digital resources.
So, when should we be doing different types of work to maximize productivity?
Research indicates that the midpoint of our sleep cycle plays an important role in determining how to structure our day. This is particularly relevant in remote or hybrid environments, where routines can be less structured. Let me illustrate this with a personal example.
On a good night, I go to bed at 11 p.m. and wake up at 7:30 a.m., meaning the midpoint of my sleep cycle falls between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Based on this chart, I should be working on analytical tasks when I start work. This would be when I’m using a higher brain function to look at the elements of something - I could be looking for marketing trends or searching for a pattern in our exam data.?
By mid-morning, I switch to tasks that involve making decisions or leaving an impression. Decision-making requires clear, logical thinking, and many of us experience decision fatigue as the day progresses. That’s why it's best to do analytical work before this phase. Making an impression involves creating a positive impact on others, so mid-morning might be the ideal time for sales calls.
Early to mid-afternoon is best for less demanding tasks. For me, this is accurate because around 2 p.m. each day, I often feel like I need a nap and wish the workday were over. By scheduling simple administrative tasks during this time, I can manage that afternoon slump effectively.
Later in the afternoon, I tend to regain some energy and can return to more analytical work. In the evening, I need time to recuperate as I usually experience brain fog around 5:30 p.m. A side note - it is really interesting to experiment with organizing your day based on this chart, but it is not spot-on for everyone. However, it is a great place to start.?
Another key aspect of Organization is managing our calendars. While some aspects of our schedules can be beyond our control (more on this in next week’s article on Control), there are different approaches to structuring our time effectively.
The “Garden” Approach:
At BillionMinds, we explain The Garden Approach as being organized around the type of tasks an employee does throughout the day. There are designated periods for meetings, and dedicated slots for each type of work. Kind of like a colorful vegetable garden!
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The "I Hate Mondays Approach"
“I Hate Mondays” is a great option for an extrovert. By frontloading meetings to the start of the week, the employee can gain energy from engaging with people, which sparks productivity for the rest of the week. Analytical tasks at the end of the week helps to close out with a sense of accomplishment.
The “It’s MY Calendar” Approach
This may be the best approach for an employee that struggles to maintain control over their calendar. By using two colors to establish when the employee lacks control (orange), and when they have control (green), this keeps them accountable to what they can and can’t take on.
Being organized in today’s dynamic work environment goes beyond just managing tasks; it requires a thoughtful approach to how we structure our days, prioritize our energy, and allocate our time. By experimenting with different organizational strategies, such as aligning tasks with your natural rhythms or choosing the right calendar management method, you can find what works best for you. Each approach has its strengths, and ultimately, the goal is to create a system that allows you to work efficiently, stay productive, and reduce stress. So, explore these methods, adapt them to your style, and see how you can bring more organization and balance to your work life.
Coming Up at BillionMinds:?
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About Me
Hi! My name is Gigi, I am the Head of Growth at BillionMinds. If you enjoyed this article, I'd love to hear from you! Even if you didn't, I'm still up for a chat. Feel free to message me or comment below, and follow me for more similar content.
Moreover, if you'd like to learn about our mission at BillionMinds, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'd be thrilled to connect with you and provide additional information. ??