Productivity and focus in startups

I haven't written a blog post in almost a year. That can only mean one thing: I'm very busy and focused on my startup. To improve my productivity and focus, I adjusted my daily routine but also tried methods to break out of the routine.

Focus Time: Only answer emails at certain times

Until a few months ago, my Gmail window was actually always open, and push notifications in the browser ensured that I never missed an email. As useful as it can be to always stay up to date, the distraction is just as great: every email notification distracts you from work for a few moments - and then your concentration is gone.

That's why I introduced fixed email times for myself: I only read and answer emails early in the morning, at 1 p.m. and in the evening after 5 p.m. The rest of the time, Gmail remains (almost) consistently closed. I also mute notifications on Slack by the hour during focus times. We also encourage our team to mute Slack during important work steps. The first interim conclusion is quite positive. We use WhatsApp as a backup for very important breaking news - but this only happens around once every two months.

Fasting increases productivity

I try to eat as healthy as possible. Of course, that doesn't always work, and my (sugarless) energy drink consumption in particular is still far too high.

Every now and then I like to challenge myself, for example with one Marathon running. Since major sporting challenges are not possible due to knee problems, I fasted for a week as a test last year. The first two days - with only tea and broth - were, as expected, tough, as the body took revenge for the lack of nutrition with hypoglycemia. On the third day, a phenomenon that surprised me occurred: Instead of feeling exhausted as expected, I felt extremely energetic, I was able to concentrate much better and needed far less sleep.

The increased productivity lasts several weeks after the end of the fasting period. This is one of the reasons why I now fast once or twice a year.

Works better in pleasant temperatures

The weather has a significant impact on my ability to concentrate. On the first warm days in spring, my concentration usually drops because I'm drawn to nature and I urgently need sun after the cold. I sit in the sun with my laptop or, if possible, take a break from exercise.

Exercising outside kills three birds with one stone: I'm in the fresh air, I can let my thoughts run free on my jogging route, and I can concentrate much better after sporting activities.

The optimal comfortable temperature for humans is somewhere between 23-27°C. This is one of the reasons why I stayed in Dubai several times this winter for a few weeks. The temperatures here are practically always in the comfortable range in winter, and with constant sunshine I don't have the feeling that I'm missing anything outside. With a VPN and a local SIM card, I can work from here like I do from home, but still go to the beach for an hour every few days at lunchtime to get some vitamin D and read articles.

The time difference (CET +3h in winter) makes it very easy to work for a few hours before the team wakes up in Europe.

And otherwise?

enough sleep

I drink a lot of water

Every now and then iron tablets as a dietary supplement

I'm trying to replace Coke Zero and energy drinks with caffeine tablets

How do you increase your productivity? I look forward to your tips!