September Question of the Month - Join the conversation and receive a badge

OHS

I find that my mind works best in the morning, especially if listening to music. Am I the only one whose brain never really turns off? Over the years, I have learned that I often come up with solutions while sleeping. It is wonderful to wake up and know exactly what I need to do in order to address a challenge that has been frustrating.

Erin Horiuchi Green

Mornings are about setting my intentions and that is exactly what the sounds of the ocean and yoga provide.

I am mentally prepared to absorb, adapt and respond to the daily influx of chaos in a respectful and productive manner.

Strategically scheduling in breaks to reduce eye strain and tunnel vision allows my body to reset throughout the day. Once again, sounds of the ocean and yoga.

Joe Goetschel

When and where do you feel your mind works the best? This is a good one!

For me, it differs on the day! Usually, the BEST ideas come when I can disconnect from all distractions. I have 3 teenagers so this is very difficult!

I need to put this into practice, but I find when I put music on and just go outside for a walk or a hike I always have a new clarity and come up with ideas I don't think would otherwise be possible.

virgh

When and where do you feel your mind works the best?

This is a tough question for me. The "when" is definitely not before 11 am, and in a world of early-birds that is not ideal. The 'where' is also a challenge because it has more to do with circumstances (quiet enough, organized enough, fewer distractions) and therefore could be at home or at work depending on those conditions.

Laura ZJ

I work best with no one else around, good music playing in my headphones, and a challenge in front of me!

It helps if I havemy three curved screens in front of me so I can look at what I'm working on in different stages. By looking at how things fit together, I can finish the journey to get the results I'm looking for.

MMcLain

My mind works best when I am passionate about the project.

Eric Hall

I tend to work best in the two or three hours right before lunch, so maybe 9:00/10:00 - 12:00/1:00/2:00. I am not a morning person, although I do get a lot of ideas on my morning walks and record a lot of voice memos for myself during that hour in the morning. Those are more related to family things rather than work. I really try to separate my time thinking about work to the time I am actually there.

Isis Taylor

@Cardell Background noise is a must for me as well.

Trang Turtletraxx

It doesn't matter the time or place. My mind works the best when I understand and fully support what I'm working on. I would be THE WORSE sales person faking how well a product is to sell something. It's the same with work. I will be more productive and easily give more effort if it is a project or assignment that appeals to me, helps support my current role or advancement and awards me with learning something new.

roxanne m

I am most focused and productive in my home office, where I have a big comfy chair with a view of my garden. My dog sleeps on her bed while a work and I keep hot tea/coffee going throughout the day. I feel comfortable to take stretch breaks and move around in ways I would not at the organization office. My home office is a lovely space where I can really emerse myself in my work - or in a book or in an art project. I'm not an early morning person, so I am most energized late morning through the evening.

Cassi

I am at my optimal self when I am driving to work in the morning with my coffee and listening to my jams. I get just to breathe and think about the day ahead.

Melitta

Love reading everyone's responses.

My brain feels like an independent entity. I think it's alway working whether I'm paying attention or not. It comes up with ideas and solutions that I'm not sure my conscious mind would. I simply feed it by reading, seeing and listening and waiting to see what it puts together. I like Smartsheet because it provides just enough structure to do all kinds of fun things.

Jamie Ide

in the morning after a good run, in a calm environment!

Stevey C

Unfortunately for me - between 02:00 and 04:00 when I should be sleeping… If I have a something I am very engaged in / passionate about or a problem with a looming deadline I often suffer bouts of insomnia. These periods I wake up with a potential solution and work through it mentally - maybe it's the complete lack of distractions but this period is my most creative. Whether I have the energy / mental capacity to implement them the following day is a different conversation.

Julia L Rumburg

Ah, the eternal quest for peak mental performance! As a self-proclaimed morning person, I'd love to say I have it all figured out. But the reality is, my best ideas seem to strike when I'm least expecting them - like when I'm winding down for the day or driving and my mind is free to wander.

I'll find myself scribbling furious notes, or frantically dictating into my phone, all while my friends/family looks on in bewilderment. They've learned to just let me ride the wave of inspiration, even if it means I abandon them mid-conversation.

The truth is, I think our minds work best when we're not forcing it. When we let ourselves slow down, get a little distracted, and just let our thoughts flow freely. That's when the magic happens! So if you're looking to tap into your creative potential, find those pockets of time in your day when you can truly unwind. You never know what brilliance might strike!