Flickr/Incase.

A recent study published in an American Psychological Association
journal, Emotion, suggests that early birds are
generally happier than night owls.

More than 700 respondents, ranging from ages 17 to 79, were
surveyed and asked about their emotional state, health, and
preferred time of day.

Self-professed “morning people” reported feeling happier and
healthier than night owls. Researchers hypothesize that one of
the reasons could be because society caters to a morning person’s
schedule.

It’s certainly true that the working world does. Working “9-to-5”
is more than an expression, but a standard shift for many
Americans. It also stands to reason that those who like rising
with the sun are also the most productive employees in the
office.

Do you want to be more like them? Then take note of the tasks
these high-functioning, productive, and more awake employees have
completed before lunch:

1.They make a work to-do list the day
before. Many swear by having a written to-do list, but
not everyone agrees on when you need to compose it. According to
Andrew Jensen, a business efficiency consultant with Sozo Firm in
Shrewsbury, Pa., the opportune time to plan a day’s tasks is the
night before. “Some people like to do the to-do schedule in the
morning, but then they might have already lost office time
writing it out,” he says. “It helps to do that to-do schedule the
night before. It also will help you sleep better.

[In Pictures: 10 Ways to Boost Work Productivity.]

2.They get a full night’s
rest. Speaking of sleeping better … lack of sleep
affects your concentration level, and therefore, your
productivity. Whatever your gold standard is for a “good night’s
rest,” strive to meet it every work night. Most health experts
advise getting a minimum eight hours of shut-eye each night.

3.They avoid hitting snooze.
Petitioning for nine more minutes, then nine more, then another
nine is a slippery slope that leads to falling back asleep and
falling behind on your morning prep. Ultimately it also leads to
lateness. “Anyone can be made into a morning person,” Jensen
says. “Anyone can make morning their most productive time. It
could be that for the entire week, you set your alarm clock a
little bit earlier, and you get out of bed on the first alarm. It
may be a pain at first, but eventually you’ll get to the point
where you’re getting your seven to eight hours of sleep at night,
you’re waking up with all your energy, and accomplishing the
things around the house you need to before going to the office.”

4.They exercise. Schedule your
Pilates class for the a.m. instead of after work. “Exercise
improves mood and energy levels,” Jensen says. Not only that, but
“there have been studies done on employees who’ve exercised
before work or during the work day. Those employees have been
found to have better time-management skills, and an improved
mental sharpness. … Those same studies found these workers are
more patient with their peers.”

5. They practice a morning ritual.Jensen also
recommends instituting a morning routine aside from your exercise
routine. Whether you opt to meditate, read the newspaper, or surf
the Web, Jensen says “it’s important to have that quiet time with
just you.”

6.They eat breakfast. Food
provides the fuel you’ll need to concentrate, and breakfast is
particularly important since it recharges you after you’ve fasted
all night. Try munching on something light and healthy in the
morning, and avoid processed carbs that could zap your energy.

7.They arrive at the office on
time. This one is obvious, right? Getting a full night’s
rest and keeping your sticky fingers off the snooze button should
make No. 7 a cakewalk. If you’re not a new employee, then you’ve
already figured out the length of your average commute. Allot a
safe amount of time to make it to work on schedule.

8. They check in with their boss and/or
employees. We all know the cliche about the whole only
being as good as the sum of its parts. In other words, if your
closest work associates aren’t productive, then neither are you.
Good workers set priorities that align with their company’s
goals, and they’re transparent about their progress.

9.They tackle the big projects
first. You can dive right into work upon arriving in the
office, since you made your to-do list the night before. And
Jensen suggests starting with the hardest tasks. “Don’t jump into
meaningless projects when you’re at your mental peak for the
day,” he says.

10.They avoid morning
meetings.If you have any say on meeting times, schedule
them in the afternoon. “You should use your prime skills during
the prime time of the day. I believe that mornings are the most
productive time,” Jensen says, also noting that an
employer who schedules morning meetings could rob his
or her employees of their peak performance, and ultimately cost
the company.

The exception to this, he adds, is if your meeting is the most
important task of the day. “Sometimes you have to schedule a
crucial meeting, or a client meeting, in which case you’d want to
plan for a time when employees are at their peak.”

11.They allot time for following up on
messages. Discern between mindless email/voicemail
checking and conducting important business. Jensen’s company,
Sozo Firm, advises clients that checking their inbox every couple
of minutes takes time away from important tasks. Instead, set a
schedule to check and respond to email in increments. Consider
doing so at the top of each hour, to ensure that clients and
colleagues receive prompt responses from you.

12. They take a mid-morning break. Get up and
stretch your legs. Or stay seated and indulge in a little
Internet surfing. According to Jensen, it’s actually
good to zone out on Facebook and Twitter or send a personal text message or two.
“You should take 10-minute breaks occasionally,” he says.
“Companies that ban any kind of Facebook [use], texting, or
personal calls can find it will be detrimental. Those practices
increase employee satisfaction.”

Just be sure not to abuse the privilege. “The best employees will
respect their employer’s time, and the worst-performing employees
will find a way to waste time even if the company forbids
personal Internet use,” Jensen explains.

Read the original article on U.S. News & World Report. Copyright 2012. Follow U.S. News & World Report on Twitter.