Last weekend, I was listening to a segment during Life hacks on Radio 1. They were talking about motivation or the lack of during lock down. This was the first time I’d heard of the phrase, Power hour. Instantly I loved the concept. So today I want to tell you how best to utilise your power hour.
What is a Power hour?
Radio 1 had a wellness professional, Adrienne Herbert on discussing her book and the concept behind the Power Hour. During the show Adrienne talked about what the Power Hour is. It’s a simple concept really and I think that’s why I liked it so much.
The Power hour is about asking ourselves what we could do with an extra hour each day. The idea being that the first hour of the day is the one that sets the tone for the day. It’s a time to build on our success and our passions.
With lock down meaning we spend more time at home, this idea is even more valuable. A lot of people have lost the daily commute to work and with that comes lack of routine. Suddenly spending an extra hour in bed is very tempting. By introducing the power hour in to your life you could be using this time to do all the things you’ve promised yourself you’d do if you had more time. Sit and have a think about what you’ve enjoyed doing in lock down. What would you be upset to miss out on when life returns to normal?
Thinking of it like this certainly flicked a switch in my brain. Time to stop talking about all the things I want to do and actually do them! Life will return to some kind of normal soon and it won’t be long before spare time feels like a luxury again.
How to best utilise your power hour
So how could you use your power hour for optimum motivation? It’s time to decide what is important to you right now. Do you have goals you are working towards?
Using this time to work towards these goals or simply to make your day to day life a little easier really can make a huge difference.
So here are some ways that you can utilise your power hour.
- Workout
- Read a book
- Go out for a walk
- Journal
- Complete blog tasks
- Get on top of the washing
- Iron
- Watch a film
- Meal prep
- Create a to-do list
- Enjoy a peaceful cuppa
- Meditate
- Make time for positive affirmations
- Enjoy a hobby, Knitting/drawing/Painting/Writing
- Go for a run
- Do the food shopping
- Housework
- Work on a business plan
- Focus on creating the life you want
As you can see from this list some of these ideas may seem like a task, a chore. But the way I look at it, is at some point in your day these jobs will need to be done. Why not start the day with these jobs behind you? Makes sense to me.
Moving forward
I start my day at 6am now and I have my power hour to use however suits me on a particular day. Sometimes it’s a full hour of exercise, others I’ll do some jobs from one of my many to do lists. This means I am now able to start my day, already feeling productive. Full of energy with the great feeling that once work is done for the day, I have more time for my family.
I can invest time in them rather than racing around cleaning the house, cooking meals, doing the shopping. I already feel so much less pressure and more accomplished. Like I have finally balanced life. That for me is all the success I need right now as a parent, as a blogger and as an employee, trying to home work!
The best bit, is this has become routine, and fits in to my day so easily, there is absolutely no need for me to give up on the power hour when we are finally back to ‘normal’. I am so pleased I listened to Adrienne on Radio 1. It’s not a show I normally listen to but there was definitely a reason I switched the radio on that day, at that time!
Have you heard on the concept of a ‘Power hour’? Would you consider making this a part of your day and how would you best utilise this time?
Great tips, I can follow these.. Thanks for sharing.
I hope they help x x
Very interesting. I already sort of do this because I’m an early riser and I am at my most productive in the morning. Some good ideas on this list.
Nice one. I haven’t heard of the term power hour before so I read this with full attention. I wake up early and start doing most of the things on my to do list because that’s when I feel most productive. Thanks for sharing.
I think it makes such a big difference x x
That’s great that you’re an early riser. It has made a huge difference since I started being an early riser x
I LOVE this! I’ve been making the effort to use my mornings as I do have the extra time, but I love the idea of really focusing on something in particular and pushing tasks that you’d normally want to do later in the day. Definitely going to make a better use of mine! Thanks for sharing – this is a great concept.
Thank you Lindsey, It really makes such a big difference x
Self motivation has been the hardest aspect of life to not only do but do on a daily basis. You provided some great ideas to help us all out!!
I hope they are helpful x
This is a fab idea, I am guilty of staying in bed a bit longer but it’s time that I could use for achieving goals. I love this power hour idea! Thanks for sharing!
I hope it helps Linz x
I love this post and it’s so motivational! I’ve definitely found myself working out more and taking the time to cook better lunches xx
That’s brilliant. I think it makes a huge difference to the day x
What a great post, I probably use mine to do online shopping and catch up with the kids and grandkids.
That is a great way to spend time x
I love this way of thinking.. I usually have a cup of tea, do some quick yoga to get my blood flowing and relax!
Rosie
That is a great way to start the day x
I love this concept! I haven’t heard of it before but definitely something to think about. Imagine how much time we waste by scrolling through Twitter or not doing anything we really want to do throughout the day or a week or even a year! I’ve been utilizing my time lately with life coaching and it’s having such an incredible impact xxx
I actually can’t believe how much more organised and productive I feel this year so far. Scrolling is actually the worst thing ever, but I struggle to stop myself!
First time hearing about it this was a wake up post to kind of look into how wise does one spends any little time they have. And to be honest I barely recognise of some so called power hour because of always being busy with sister’s kids and my granny who can’t walk , but I’m always glad when I became productive on my individual tasks a day. Loving the idea of working on a business plan that’s noted. Thank you for this information.
I hope it is really helpful for you, and allows you to make some time for you x
I had never heard of a power hour – good to know – tx for the tip 🙂
No problem, I hope it helps x
I love this idea! My trip to the office and back was only about 20 minutes to start with but gaining them has also helped me to read a bit more – something I’ve been wanting to do.
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
That is a great way to use your time. I have done that this morning actually, Felt very calm starting my working day x x
I loved this so much ! I am so productive in the morning and I do most of these. Exercise, breakfast and working literally has me feeling like my best self !
Yes! I totally agree x x
Power Hours are referenced a LOT over on LinkedIn (surprise, surprise) but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of creating your own, more flexible one before. What a great idea, Claire, thank you. I will have to look at how I can implement one into my life now! Xx
It honestly has changed the whole day for me, I feel so much more organised than I ever have before x x
I have heard of power hour but I never really knew fully what it is, so thank you for explaining that!
Actually thinking about it, this is what I have begun doing without even realising! I get up at 7am and then from then until 8am I do things (might be a workout, knitting etc) and then I get ready for work after that and it just really sets me up for the day.
It is such a great way to start the day. I think it makes my mood better x x
These are great tips. I love having a good power hour. Now that I work at home, I’m able to use my commute time as a morning power hour and it’s been so productive! I also do one in the evening and I’ve never been so organised. Thank you for sharing these tips
Em x
I totally feel this! I do feel like I have never been so organised as I have this last year x
I am very far from a morning person, but I do like to get active from the morning, though mine is normally house jobs like emptying the dish washer, and do a quick tidy up before the day starts.
It is great to get a head start on the day and have those things done I think x
I tend to have a power hour in the evenings if home schooling has been a t manic and I haven’t managed much work , I’ll set myself an hour to get as much done as I can
I bet it is a great way to de-stress at the end of a tough day x
A really great and thoughtful post. I love the idea of the power hour and think it’s something I’ll be considering more in the future. I particularly think it would be a great way to use that as a way to get my exercises in as often they always end up at the moment of my to-do list for the day.
I think using it to exercise is such a great idea. Really changes the mood of the day x
This is a really interesting concept, and I definitely think with more free time on our hands (for some of us) it’s important to stay motivated and understand how to manage our time before/after life responsibilities. Unfortunately I am not a very good morning person haha, but I think getting into a routine as you have done is very valuable, I’m glad it’s working for you x
I was never a morning person, but the more I pushed myself to get up and be productive, the more I love the mornings x x
I love the idea of power hour, my power hour is 5.30 when I wake up and work out when I don’t my day doesn’t often go too well.
I totally get this. I genuinely feel worse for staying in bed or being lazy x
The first hour of the day definitely can set the tone for the day so I really like the idea of using it better. The power hour as a concept is a great one and I love your suggestions for how to make the most of it — I’m going to do some of them!
I hope you enjoy your hour x x
I love this! Although I am not a morning person, I think a power hour is such a great concept. I like the idea of thinking about what I would miss when the lockdown is over. That is the perfect way for me to come up with how I want to include in that hour. Thanks for sharing this! I’m looking forward to planning my power hour.
That way of thinking was a complete game changer for me! Thinking in terms of what I’d miss. Enjoy your power hour x x
I’ve heard about Power Hour before but I don’t know if this term could be so great! I’ve been utilizing my time lately with blogging and planning my tasks in advance. Doing those stuff makes me feel so great! I also read some books and catching some old movies during my spare time, that’s so fun xxx
I honestly feel so much more organised now, Like you, it makes me feel great x x
Power hour for me is a run in the forest. Sets me up for my day and leaves me energised.
That is a perfect way to start the day x
This is s a great idea. I am not very good at being out of routine and it is so tempting to just have that extra time in bed but I would much rather do something productive.
I do make sure I have a lazy morning in bed once a week, me and my partner take a day each and it’s lovely x
I was introduced to this concept a while back, only under the guise of The Miracle Morning. I refer to any time before getting the children up as my ‘Power Hour’ and I’m approaching the end of this morning’s now.
I do love that quiet time before the house is awake! My son has always been a 5.30/6am riser so I never got up before then but now as a teenager I have to drag him out of bed but it does give me my power hour so I’ll take that!
Love the idea of a power hour! I could definitely use an extra hour in the day to increase motivation. I think I’d spend it either doing some blogging tasks or exercise.
Tash – A Girl with a View
That’s what I flip between. Although I fell down the stairs a week ago so I am currently using it for blogging only x
Such a great concept! Well, I use my power hour by either journaling or offering my prayers to God 🙂Both raise my positive vibration!
That is so lovely, those positive vibrations really do make a huge difference x
I’ve not heard of a power hour before. -But it’s a fab idea. I’m going to see how I can squeeze one into my day 😊
Oh I hope it is helpful x x
Sounds like a great idea. I used to get up an hour earlier to complete blog tasks but that has gone by the wayside. I need to start it again
That is what I use it for mainly, I like the quiet time x
Thanks for sharing, this idea, it sounds something I need sometimes to re-set 🙂
I hope it is really helpful for you x
I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s a very interesting idea! I ended up spending the time in bed, but trying to work out a better routine now! Thanks for sharing x
I am glad it could help you x
I try to have a daily power hour for Pinterest! I find it really motivates me to get the work done that I need to in the time it needs doing. These some fab ideas x
Love this concept! I struggle so much with waking up early. I would like to train myself soon to wake up at 6 am instead of 730am everyday. I feel like the extra hour would help me so much! Thank you so much for sharing x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
This is such a good idea! Power hour, I need to get this into my schedule and this will actually really help me thank you x