The most productive hours of the day for many are in the early morning. This is what is revealed by a research by Regus, the Luxembourg-based company among the leading suppliers of flexible workspaces. The survey was conducted on a sample of 22.000 managers and professionals in over 100 countries. Smartphones, tablets and internet connections make it possible to always be operational and connected to the world of work, with an increasingly growing integration between private life and professional activity; as a result traditional office hours (9-17) are effectively out of date, says Regus according to which
around two-fifths of managers, professionals and office workers (45% globally) are most productive and manage to handle a considerable amount of work early in the morning, often away from the traditional office, before the onslaught of interrupting emails and phone calls work flow and concentration.
Italian larks or owls?
Although in Italy 35% declare to be more productive in the early hours of the morning, the percentage recorded in our country is considerably lower than the global average and also compared to the main European countries (Spain 50%, France 44%, Germany 39%, united 49%); while 48% of Italians are still tied to the traditional office hours of 9-17. The times where the majority of respondents consider themselves less productive are indicated in the late evening (Italy 15%) and during the night (Italy 2%). Percentages more or less in line with the global average and those of the main European countries with the exception of Germany where a percentage of 22% is recorded, therefore around a quarter of German managers claim to be more productive in the evening hours.
Concentration: difficult to maintain beyond three hours
The time during which you can maintain concentration also plays an important role in determining the productivity of people at work. Respondents were asked to estimate the average time in which they maintain their concentration uninterrupted, assuming they operate in an environment without external distractions. The global average reaches about 70% within three hours and is fairly even across countries. (4% less than an hour, 31% between one and two hours, 34% between two and three hours), only 30% declare that they are able to stay focused on work without interrupting themselves after three hours.
Coffee break: "a must" all over the world to recover more concentrated and productive
Short breaks are necessary during the long working day to maintain psycho-physical well-being, recover energy and the ability to stay focused. The coffee break represents in Italy, but also in other countries, a must for relaxing breaks at work (29% Italy; 28% global average); even small walks (inside or outside the offices) are a physical activity to stretch your legs a bit after sitting at your desk for a long time. This activity is more frequent abroad (24% global average, 21% Italy). Then follow the change of activity, moving on to carry out other commitments and duties and then resume (17% Italy, 14% globally) and brief conversations with colleagues (14% Italy, 11% global average); even watching the news or surfing the net (11% Italy and global average) is a moment of leisure and relaxation.
