How to Work Smart, Not Hard During Ramadan

With over 2 billion Muslims worldwide observing the holy month of Ramadan and abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset, productivity can be a challenge for office workers and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you work in an office or you're a solo entrepreneur, by making some changes to your routine, prioritizing work, and being selective about how you approach work, you can make sure that you stay productive during Ramadan.

Here are some tips to maximize your workday during fasting:

Plan Ahead for a Productive Workday in Ramadan:

Maintaining focus during Ramadan can be challenging, especially since hunger can be distracting. Therefore, it's essential to plan your day in advance by identifying areas of focus, which helps maintain your motivation and accomplish more tasks.

When planning your Ramadan day, try scheduling meetings, calls, and other high-energy interactions in the morning. Prioritize important tasks and leave less critical or mentally demanding tasks for the afternoon, when your energy and focus start to decline.

Work When Your Energy is at Its Peak:

Your energy levels are likely to be at their highest after having suhoor and iftar. Plan to tackle the most challenging tasks that require mental or physical effort after eating, when your mind and body are in the best state of focus. Staying awake after suhoor instead of going back to sleep allows you to complete tasks more easily, away from the distractions of communication channels.

You can also use time management tools like Boomerang for Gmail to ensure that emails drafted during these peak activity periods are sent during traditional working hours, aligning with the expectations of your clients, partners, and consumers.

Replace Meetings with Video Calls and Phone Calls:

Traveling and commuting can drain your energy, so look for opportunities to convert in-person meetings into phone or video calls. Often, you can accomplish the same tasks just as effectively without the need to expend your energy physically moving to another location.

For many individuals, including those who don't fast, these changes are appreciated as they save time spent on commuting, allowing for additional time to engage in other activities and complete tasks more efficiently, leading to greater progress and achieving tasks on their to-do list more effectively.

Take a Nap in the afternoon:

The afternoon and early evening hours can be the toughest times for exertion during Ramadan. Don't hesitate to take a short nap to recharge your energy, especially if you wake up early. An afternoon nap provides an opportunity to replenish your energy, giving you a temporary boost when you wake up in the early evening.