Everyone has windows when their decision-making capability peaks. Finding yours requires systematic observation.
The Energy Audit Method
For one week, rate your energy and decision quality hourly: - Energy Level (1-10) - Mental Clarity (1-10) - Decision Confidence (1-10) - Mood (1-10)
Track without trying to change anything. Patterns will emerge.
Sarah's tracking revealed: - 6-8 AM: Energy 4, Clarity 3, Confidence 2 - 9-11 AM: Energy 8, Clarity 9, Confidence 9 - 12-2 PM: Energy 5, Clarity 4, Confidence 4 - 3-5 PM: Energy 7, Clarity 8, Confidence 7 - 6-8 PM: Energy 3, Clarity 2, Confidence 2
Her prime decision windows: 9-11 AM and 3-5 PM. Everything else was forcing decisions during biological low points.
Common Energy Patterns
The Early Bird (25% of population) - Peak: 6-10 AM - Good: 10 AM-12 PM - Decline: After 2 PM - Crash: Evening
Best for: Front-loading important decisions
The Standard Schedule (50% of population) - Wake-up period: 6-8 AM - Peak: 9 AM-12 PM - Post-lunch dip: 1-3 PM - Second wind: 3-5 PM - Decline: After 6 PM
Best for: Traditional work schedule with afternoon buffer
The Night Owl (25% of population) - Slow start: Before 10 AM - Building: 10 AM-2 PM - Peak: 2-6 PM - Second wind: 8-11 PM - Natural bedtime: After midnight
Best for: Protecting mornings, leveraging afternoons/evenings