Method for operating a work apparatus having an internal combustion engine, - wherein an ignition device is provided for triggering an ignition spark at a spark plug , - and the ignition spark is provided for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine , - wherein the combustion chamber is bounded by a piston , - and the ignition device triggers the ignition spark at the spark plug at an ignition point (ZZP) depending on the rotational position of the crankshaft , - and the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine drives a tool, - wherein a clutch is arranged between the crankshaft and the tool, - and the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine is monitored via a speed monitoring circuit , characterized in - that the ignition point (ZZP) of the ignition device is adjusted towards early if the following conditions are successively fulfilled: i. the speed (n) lies within a predefined period of time (ΔT) in a speed range (n min ; n max ) of 3000 rpm to 5000 rpm, wherein the predefined period of time (ΔT) is 2 to 3 seconds or is determined by a predefined number of successive crankshaft revolutions, with five to fifty crankshaft revolutions being provided, ii. the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine drops below a speed limit value (n G ) lying below the speed (n min) of 3000 rpm after the first condition has been fulfilled. - wherein an ignition device is provided for triggering an ignition spark at a spark plug , - and the ignition spark is provided for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine , - wherein the combustion chamber is bounded by a piston , - and the ignition device triggers the ignition spark at the spark plug at an ignition point (ZZP) depending on the rotational position of the crankshaft , - and the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine drives a tool, - wherein a clutch is arranged between the crankshaft and the tool, - and the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine is monitored via a speed monitoring circuit , characterized in - that the ignition point (ZZP) of the ignition device is adjusted towards early if the following conditions are successively fulfilled: i. the speed (n) lies within a predefined period of time (ΔT) in a speed range (n min ; n max ) of 3000 rpm to 5000 rpm, wherein the predefined period of time (ΔT) is 2 to 3 seconds or is determined by a predefined number of successive crankshaft revolutions, with five to fifty crankshaft revolutions being provided, ii. the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine drops below a speed limit value (n G ) lying below the speed (n min) of 3000 rpm after the first condition has been fulfilled. i. the speed (n) lies within a predefined period of time (ΔT) in a speed range (n min ; n max ) of 3000 rpm to 5000 rpm, wherein the predefined period of time (ΔT) is 2 to 3 seconds or is determined by a predefined number of successive crankshaft revolutions, with five to fifty crankshaft revolutions being provided, ii. the speed (n) of the internal combustion engine drops below a speed limit value (n G ) lying below the speed (n min) of 3000 rpm after the first condition has been fulfilled. <EOS>