--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The take-home message wasn’t that the…" description: "\"“The take-home message wasn’t that the majority of these great performers did their best work at a certain time of day, or that there is an optimal hou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/brad-stulberg-27341_ebb-and-flow_the-take-home-message-wasn-t-that-the-ma_1728501.jpg" --- # The take-home message wasn’t that the majority of these… ![“The take-home message wasn’t that the majority of these great performers did their best work at a certain time of day, or that there is an optimal hour for productivity. Rather, each individual figured out when they were most alert and focused, and designed their day accordingly. These individuals…” quote by Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/brad-stulberg-27341_ebb-and-flow_the-take-home-message-wasn-t-that-the-ma_1728501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/brad-stulberg-27341_ebb-and-flow_the-take-home-message-wasn-t-that-the-ma_1728501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/brad-stulberg-27341_ebb-and-flow_the-take-home-message-wasn-t-that-the-ma_1728501.jpg) > ““The take-home message wasn’t that the majority of these great performers did their best work at a certain time of day, or that there is an optimal hour for productivity. Rather, each individual figured out when they were most alert and focused, and designed their day accordingly. These individuals were optimizing around their respective chronotypes, which is the scientific term for the unique ebb and flow of energy that everyone experiences over the course of 24 hours.”” [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage explains that productivity isn’t tied to a universal optimal hour; instead, each person should align tasks with their personal chronotype—natural energy peaks and troughs throughout the day. **In simple terms:** Work with your natural energy cycles. Key Takeaway Schedule tasks to match personal energy. Themes productivity chronotype self‑awareness Mood reflective practical Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - daily planning - creative work - physical tasks - learning sessions Key Concepts circadian rhythms peak performance Questions to Reflect On - When do you feel most alert? - How can you test your chronotype? A Different Perspective It may be hard to identify one’s chronotype accurately. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ebb and flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ebb-and-flow/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time of day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-of-day/) ## Related quotes > [Depending on the day or even the hour, productivity can take very low dips. At times, I may feel like throwing in the towel.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-ettus/depending-on-the-day-or-even-the-hour-productivity-can-take-very-low/) Samantha Ettus > [“There are underlying principles at play in nature, from the fields, quanta, and forces of the universe to the ebb and flow of complexity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-scharf/there-are-underlying-principles-at-play-in-nature-from-the-fields/) [Caleb Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-scharf/) > [The great river-courses which have shaped the lives of men have hardly changed; and those other streams, the life-currents that ebb and flow in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/the-great-river-courses-which-have-shaped-the-lives-of-men-have/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [I think there is always an ebb and flow in Hollywood about what is current.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-r-white/i-think-there-is-always-an-ebb-and-flow-in-hollywood-about-what-is/) [David A. R. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-r-white/) > [I know you're always supposed to want more of everything. But in truth, I'm having a nice ebb and flow of being in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-hunt/i-know-you-re-always-supposed-to-want-more-of-everything-but-in-truth/) [Helen Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-hunt/) > [Unfathomable Sea! whose waves are years, Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe Are brackish with the salt of human tears! Thou shoreless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/unfathomable-sea-whose-waves-are-years-ocean-of-time-whose-waters-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“In the uncertain ebb and flow of time and emotions, much of one's life history is etched in the senses. And things of no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banana-yoshimoto/in-the-uncertain-ebb-and-flow-of-time-and-emotions-much-of-one-s-life/) [Banana Yoshimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banana-yoshimoto/) > [If woman is inconstant, good, I am faithful to ebb and flow, I fall in season and now is a time of ripening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/if-woman-is-inconstant-good-i-am-faithful-to-ebb-and-flow-i-fall-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [For relationships, too, must be like islands. One must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/for-relationships-too-must-be-like-islands-one-must-accept-them-for/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“But everyone remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/but-everyone-remembered-what-she-loved-was-this-here-now-in-front-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“Finally, every society develops a system of aesthetic standards that get manifested in everything from decorative art, music, and dance to the architecture and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livermore/finally-every-society-develops-a-system-of-aesthetic-standards-that/) [David Livermore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livermore/) > [The seasons, like greater tides, ebb and flow across the continents. Spring advances up the United States at the average rate of about fifteen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-way-teale/the-seasons-like-greater-tides-ebb-and-flow-across-the-continents/) [Edwin Way Teale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-way-teale/) > [What a strange power the perception of beauty is! It seems to ebb and flow like some secret tide, independent alike of health and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-benson/what-a-strange-power-the-perception-of-beauty-is-it-seems-to-ebb-and/) [A. C. Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-benson/) > [“In the ebb and flow of my life, in years gone by, in moments now, in currents, undertows that almost did me in, someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-trabold/in-the-ebb-and-flow-of-my-life-in-years-gone-by-in-moments-now-in/) [Robert Trabold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-trabold/) ## More by Brad Stulberg > [“Stress + rest = growth. This equation holds true regardless of what it is that you are trying to grow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/stress-rest-growth-this-equation-holds-true-regardless-of-what-it-is/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“the brain rewards us with more dopamine for the act of seeking a reward than for the act of receiving one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/the-brain-rewards-us-with-more-dopamine-for-the-act-of-seeking-a/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“The good news is that just like the body, by stressing and allowing the mind to recover it also becomes stronger. Scientists have discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/the-good-news-is-that-just-like-the-body-by-stressing-and-allowing/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“Exposure to nature not only helps with creativity, but it may also lower levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a molecule associated with inflammation in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/exposure-to-nature-not-only-helps-with-creativity-but-it-may-also/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“In a society that glorifies grinding, short-term gains and pushing to extremes, it takes guts to rest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/in-a-society-that-glorifies-grinding-short-term-gains-and-pushing-to/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“When we create a space in which to practice our craft, it is beneficial to surround ourselves with objects that invite desired actions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/when-we-create-a-space-in-which-to-practice-our-craft-it-is/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“simply telling yourself “I am excited” shifts your demeanor from what they call a threat mindset (stressed out and apprehensive) to an opportunity mindset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/simply-telling-yourself-i-am-excited-shifts-your-demeanor-from-what/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“Mindfulness is about being completely present in the moment, fully aware of yourself and your surroundings. It’s helpful to think of the meditation part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/mindfulness-is-about-being-completely-present-in-the-moment-fully/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“The process of setting a goal on the outer boundaries of what we think is possible, and then systematically pursuing it, is one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/the-process-of-setting-a-goal-on-the-outer-boundaries-of-what-we/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“Purpose fosters motivation; motivation lets us endure a greater perception of effort; and enduring a greater perception of effort often results in better performance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/purpose-fosters-motivation-motivation-lets-us-endure-a-greater/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“Scientists have discovered that the more we resist temptation, think deeply, or focus intensely, the better we become at doing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/scientists-have-discovered-that-the-more-we-resist-temptation-think/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“(Just imagine if a runner doing intervals on the track came to a complete stop to check her phone after each and every notification.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/just-imagine-if-a-runner-doing-intervals-on-the-track-came-to-a/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“the real secret of world-class performers is not the daily routines that they develop, but that they stick to them. That they show up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/the-real-secret-of-world-class-performers-is-not-the-daily-routines/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“Stress demands rest, and rest supports stress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/stress-demands-rest-and-rest-supports-stress/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) > [“The key to being a minimalist is making a routine out of just about everything that is not core to your mission. When decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stulberg/the-key-to-being-a-minimalist-is-making-a-routine-out-of-just-about/) [Brad Stulberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) [Explore all 20 Brad Stulberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stulberg/) ## More Ebb and flow quotes > [“In the ebb and flow of my life, in years gone by, in moments now, in currents, undertows that almost did me in, someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-trabold/in-the-ebb-and-flow-of-my-life-in-years-gone-by-in-moments-now-in/) [Robert Trabold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-trabold/) > [What a strange power the perception of beauty is! It seems to ebb and flow like some secret tide, independent alike of health and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-benson/what-a-strange-power-the-perception-of-beauty-is-it-seems-to-ebb-and/) [A. C. Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-benson/) > [The seasons, like greater tides, ebb and flow across the continents. Spring advances up the United States at the average rate of about fifteen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-way-teale/the-seasons-like-greater-tides-ebb-and-flow-across-the-continents/) [Edwin Way Teale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-way-teale/) > [“Finally, every society develops a system of aesthetic standards that get manifested in everything from decorative art, music, and dance to the architecture and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livermore/finally-every-society-develops-a-system-of-aesthetic-standards-that/) [David Livermore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livermore/) > [“But everyone remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/but-everyone-remembered-what-she-loved-was-this-here-now-in-front-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [For relationships, too, must be like islands. One must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/for-relationships-too-must-be-like-islands-one-must-accept-them-for/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [If woman is inconstant, good, I am faithful to ebb and flow, I fall in season and now is a time of ripening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/if-woman-is-inconstant-good-i-am-faithful-to-ebb-and-flow-i-fall-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [“In the uncertain ebb and flow of time and emotions, much of one's life history is etched in the senses. And things of no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banana-yoshimoto/in-the-uncertain-ebb-and-flow-of-time-and-emotions-much-of-one-s-life/) [Banana Yoshimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banana-yoshimoto/) > [Unfathomable Sea! whose waves are years, Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe Are brackish with the salt of human tears! Thou shoreless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/unfathomable-sea-whose-waves-are-years-ocean-of-time-whose-waters-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [I know you're always supposed to want more of everything. But in truth, I'm having a nice ebb and flow of being in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-hunt/i-know-you-re-always-supposed-to-want-more-of-everything-but-in-truth/) [Helen Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-hunt/) > [I think there is always an ebb and flow in Hollywood about what is current.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-r-white/i-think-there-is-always-an-ebb-and-flow-in-hollywood-about-what-is/) [David A. R. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-r-white/) > [The great river-courses which have shaped the lives of men have hardly changed; and those other streams, the life-currents that ebb and flow in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/the-great-river-courses-which-have-shaped-the-lives-of-men-have/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“There are underlying principles at play in nature, from the fields, quanta, and forces of the universe to the ebb and flow of complexity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-scharf/there-are-underlying-principles-at-play-in-nature-from-the-fields/) [Caleb Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-scharf/) > [The idea of immortality, that like a sea has ebbed and flowed in the human heart, with its countless waves of hope and fear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-idea-of-immortality-that-like-a-sea-has-ebbed-and-flowed-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 189 Ebb and flow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ebb-and-flow/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The take-home message wasn’t that the majority of these great performers did their best work at a certain time of day, or that there is an optimal hour for productivity. 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