With thanks to all who participated, here are the results of my latest weekend poll. Our focus: At what point in the work day are you most productive?

  For more than six of every 10 respondents, productivity is not consistent throughout the day

Only 37.5% reported that their productivity remains consistent throughout the day. 50% of you described yourselves as morning people, while only 19% reported being night owls. 23% wouldn’t categorise themselves as either of the two.

 Almost half of you report being at your most productive in the morning, with mid-day not far behind

 … But do you have autonomy to schedule your work hours accordingly? On a scale of 1 (no control) to 5 (high degree of flexibility), 64% rated your autonomy at 4 or higher.

How to recharge when you feel your energy and productivity flagging?

Readers mentioned going for a walk more frequently than any other option. Also high on the list? Reading articles or checking personal email were also mentioned more than once, as was securing a change of scenery. Read on for full details.

THE DATA

Note: Information below reflects the percentage of respondents who selected specific responses from multiple choice options. In instances where more than one person offered similar responses to open ended questions, I clustered responses and did not duplicate all of them.

Is your productivity generally consistent throughout the day?

• Yes:  37.5% of respondents – compared to 33% in 2016
• No:  62.5% of respondents – compared to 67% in 2016

Generally speaking, which of the following best describes you?

• I’m a morning person:  50% of respondents
• I’m neither a morning person or a night owl: 23% of respondents
• I’m a night owl: 19% of respondents
• 8% of respondents selected “Other”. Comments included the following.
  • Late morning/early afternoon
  • I really hate getting up in the morning, but I know it’s when I’m most productive

If your productivity varies at different points in the work day, when are you most productive?

• Morning: 47% of respondents – compared to 55% in 2016
• Mid-day: 30% of respondents – compared to 9% in 2016
• Afternoon: 13% of respondents – compared to 18% in 2016
• Evening: 10% of respondents – compared to 9% in 2016

On a scale of 1 (no control) to 5 (high degree of flexibility), how much autonomy do you have over your start/end times at the office?

• 1 (no control):  8% of respondents
• 2:  8% of respondents
• 3:  20% of respondent
• 4:  32% of respondents
• 5 (high degree of flexibility):  32% of respondents

How do you recharge when you find your productivity dropping? Note: There were a number of similar or related results, and so I’ve represented them below rather than reprinting variations of the same response

• Go for a walk/walk away from my desk for a few minutes/quick walk/move around/I prefer to take short brisk walks every 1-2 hours; i.e., a walk around the building/a walkabout
• I do two or three pauses reading articles or checking my personal mail
• Change of scenery/change of focus
• Go to the gym
• Take a break from my desk; go and chat to a colleague or make a cup of tea
• Coffee or snack/tea
• Take a break/Take a break and change gears
• Do a standing yoga stretch
• Quick drive to Tim Hortons (coffee shop); caffeine + fresh air = happier/productive me!
• Listen to music at my desk or take a walk
• I go for a short walk outside to clear my head and get some fresh air
• I take s short break and a cup of tea
• I drink some water or do some no-brain work