MSS #098: Boost Productivity by Managing Your Energy, Not Your Time

MSS #098: Boost Productivity by Managing Your Energy, Not Your Time

23 November, 2024

🕒Read time: 3.2 minutes

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We’ve been conditioned to believe that the secret to productivity is time management—squeezing more out of every minute.

But there’s something even more powerful: managing your energy.

After all, it doesn’t matter how well you structure your time if you’re too drained to use it effectively.

This week, I’ll break down why focusing on your energy, rather than your time, leads to better results and how you can put this approach into practice.

Let’s dive in.

The Science Behind Energy Management

Our bodies don’t run at a constant level of energy throughout the day.

We operate in cycles known as ultradian rhythms, which last about 90 minutes. During these cycles, we experience natural peaks and dips in energy.

You’ll notice periods of sharp focus followed by times when your concentration wavers—this is perfectly normal.

Studies show that top performers, like elite athletes or musicians, tap into these rhythms.

They work intensely for 90 minutes, then step away to recharge.

It’s not about working more hours but using those hours more wisely by aligning tasks with your energy levels.

Why Energy Management Beats Time Management

So, why does managing energy outperform time management? Here’s why:

1. Sharper focus: Energy levels dictate your ability to concentrate. It’s not about how long you work but how focused you are during that time.

2. Better quality: When you manage energy well, you’re able to produce higher-quality work in less time—working long hours doesn’t equate to better output.

3. Sustainability: Burnout is a real risk. Managing your energy protects your well-being, allowing you to keep performing at your best over the long term.

Tapping in better to our bodies innate rhythms, simply makes sense and in a time were flexible working is becoming more prevalent we have a better opportunity to make this happen.

How to Manage Your Energy

Effective energy management is about renewing your energy and matching your tasks to your energy levels. Here are the steps to make this work for you.

1. Recognise Your Energy Patterns

Take note of when your energy naturally peaks and dips throughout the day. This self-awareness helps you plan your tasks around the times when you’re at your best.

• Morning: Many people feel sharp in the morning, making it ideal for deep work or creative tasks.

• Afternoon: Energy often dips after lunch, so use this time for routine or collaborative tasks that don’t require heavy brainpower.

This is definitely a thing, I am sure most of us know if we are innately morning or evening people, I am definitely better in the morning the rest of my household work better later in the day.

2. Work in Focused Bursts

Rather than slogging through hours of work, break your tasks into 90-minute bursts followed by 10-15 minute breaks. This mirrors your natural ultradian rhythms and keeps your energy up throughout the day.

Avoid the temptation to keep cracking on through, those 10-15 minute breaks will ensure better quality work in the following 90 minute bursts.

3. Take Strategic Breaks

Taking a break isn’t slacking off—it’s recharging. During your low-energy periods, step away from the desk. Stretch, go for a short walk, or simply take a few deep breaths. These small moments reset your energy and make the next task easier.

Rebrand taking a break into what it is, making sure you perform better for longer during the rest of the day and not feeling crashed out at the end of the day.

4. Incorporate Energising Activities

Find small activities that boost your energy levels:

• Take a brisk walk

• Listen to a favourite song

• Practice deep breathing exercises

These actions might seem minor, but they pack a punch when it comes to lifting your mood and resetting your focus.

It’s about tapping into what energises and lifts your mood. Regardless of your work or private life, it’s something you have full control of.

5. Match Your Tasks to Your Energy Levels

Different tasks require different kinds of energy. Creative or problem-solving tasks need high mental energy, while routine admin tasks can be tackled during your lower energy times.

• High-energy tasks: Creative work, strategy, decision-making.

• Low-energy tasks: Admin, answering emails, scheduling.

It’s a shame to waste those high energy level periods on mundane tasks that take little effort or concentration.

Equally, by taking on the easier tasks when your energy is low, you remain productive and probably less resistive to getting the boring stuff done.

6. Prioritise Sleep and Recovery

If you’re not getting enough sleep, your energy levels will plummet, no matter how well you manage your time.

Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night and consider a short 20-minute power nap during the day if you’re flagging.

Power nap’s have been shown to be very effective and should not be the reserve of young children and older people, we can all benefit highly from these.

Summary

Managing your energy, not just your time, is the key to unlocking sustained productivity and avoiding burnout. Here’s how to start:

Quick recap:

• Understand your energy cycles and schedule tasks based on when you’re at your best.

• Work in 90-minute bursts, followed by breaks to recharge.

• Incorporate energising activities into your day to keep your energy levels high.

• Sleep and recovery are essential for maintaining long-term performance.

By shifting from time management to energy management, you’ll find that you not only get more done but do so with less stress and more satisfaction.

Try it out this week and let me know how it goes. If you need more guidance, feel free to reach out for personalised coaching.

See you next week. One more thought 👇

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That's it for this week. Thanks for reading, really hope this helped. Contact me if you think I can help you further at [email protected].

Happy thinking.