Energy Rhythm: A Chronotype Assessment

 

What does chronotype mean?

 
 

The Energy Rhythm Assessment is a type of chronotype assessment, or the behavioral manifestation of circadian rhythms and physiological processes (Adan et al., 2012).

That probably sounded confusing, but broken down, it can tell us a lot about a person -- what their energy patterns are like over the typical 9-5 workday, what types of tasks are easiest for you to excel at during certain times of day, and how to arrange work throughout the day to maximize results.

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Background

Cloverleaf’s Energy Rhythm Assessment draws from research about circadian rhythm and circadian typology. Circadian rhythm refers to the internal processes which regulate the sleep/wake cycle and affect people’s biological and psychological functioning in everyday life, health, and disease (Adan et al., 2012). These internal processes typically operate on 24-hour cycles, or rhythms. Chronotype refers to individuals’ own internal schedule of these processes and the corresponding timing of daily peaks and troughs in their physical/psychological energy (Preckel, Lipnevich, Schneider, & Roberts, 2011).

Learn more about the Energy Rhythm assessment here.

 
 
 

Understand your Team

 
 
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Map your team by their Energy Rhythm. Visualize when in the day your people get most of their energy. The Energy Rhythms are broken down into: the Starter (morning type), the Pacer (midday type), and the Anchor (evening type).

Whether you and your team members are Starters, Pacers, or Anchors, you will all go through peak, trough, and recovery stages throughout the day.

Peak time, or when people experience a rise in energy, mood, and vigilance, is best for Analyzing Tasks -- tasks that require lots of analytical and strategic brainpower. Trough, when there is usually a dip in energy, mood, and vigilance, is best for Maintenance Tasks -- those low-brainpower, straightforward tasks like adding to your calendar or answering emails. Recovery, when energy and mood take a sharp rise, but vigilance does not, is best for Creating Tasks -- like brainstorming new designs and synthesizing ideas. The peak, trough, and recovery occur at different times for people, depending on what “type” they fall into.