The Overlooked Productivity Strategy That Will Change How You Work & Live

Hey, GoalGetters! 👋🏼

Time management has long been the holy grail of productivity. We’re taught that success is about optimizing every hour, scheduling tasks down to the minute, and squeezing as much output as possible into a given day. But if time management alone were the answer, why do so many high-achievers still feel drained, uninspired, and overwhelmed?

The truth is, productivity isn’t just about managing your hours - it’s about managing the energy within those hours. This is where energy management comes in. Instead of forcing yourself into rigid schedules that don’t align with your natural rhythms, energy management helps you work in a way that feels sustainable, intuitive, and fulfilling.

Let’s explore the key differences between time and energy management, why both are essential, and how you can leverage them together to create more ease, flow, and success in your business.

To build a thriving business, you need both time management and energy management - but they serve different purposes.

• Time management is about structuring your schedule, setting deadlines, and prioritizing tasks efficiently. It focuses on external factors - calendars, routines, and planning.

• Energy management is about aligning tasks with your natural rhythms, peak productivity, and personal well-being. It prioritizes internal factors - how you feel, when you perform best, and what drains or fuels you.

Think of it this way: Time is a fixed resource, but energy is renewable. The key is learning how to structure your schedule in a way that works with your energy, not against it.

For years, we’ve been told that time management is the ultimate key to productivity. The idea is simple: Plan your day, stick to your schedule, and get more done. But what happens when:

• You schedule deep work at a time when you’re mentally exhausted?

• You push through back-to-back meetings, only to feel drained and unmotivated?

• You check off every task on your list but still feel like you’re running on empty?

The problem is that time management assumes we have the same level of energy throughout the day. But as humans, our energy fluctuates. Some hours, we’re naturally more focused, creative, and motivated. Other times, our brains need rest.

Example: Imagine two entrepreneurs:

• Entrepreneur A follows a strict schedule, working 10-hour days with little regard for energy levels. They check off tasks but feel depleted and uninspired.

• Entrepreneur B structures their work around their energy peaks and rests when needed. They work fewer hours but accomplish more because their tasks align with their natural rhythm.

Who do you think is more productive in the long run?

This is why energy management is the missing piece. It prevents burnout, increases creativity, and allows you to work smarter, not harder.

Time management tells you when to work and energy management tells you how to work at your best. The key is understanding your own energy patterns and aligning your tasks accordingly.

Step 1: Identify Your Energy Peaks & Dips

Your energy isn’t constant throughout the day. It follows a natural cycle. Some people are morning powerhouses, while others thrive in the nighttime. Track your energy levels for a week and note when you feel most focused, creative, and alert.

Step 2: Match Tasks to Your Energy Levels

Once you know your rhythms, start aligning tasks with your energy peaks:

• High-energy periods: Do deep work, brainstorming, and creative tasks.

• Mid-energy periods: Handle meetings, emails, and collaborative work.

• Low-energy periods: Do admin tasks, planning, or take breaks to recharge.

Step 3: Incorporate Rest, Movement & Nourishment

Your energy isn’t just about work, it’s also about what fuels you. Prioritize:

• Short breaks to recharge your mind: Try the 50/10 or 90/20 rule. Work in focused sprints (50-90 minutes) and take a 10-20 minute break. This keeps your mind fresh and prevents mental exhaustion.

• Movement to refresh your body: Try Micro-Movements. Every hour, stand up, stretch, or walk for 2-5 minutes. This improves circulation and focus. You can read my blog post,10 Easy and Fun Wellness Shortcuts That You Can Do at Your Desk, for more ideas.

• Nourishing food that supports sustained energy: Avoid the afternoon slump. Instead of reaching for caffeine or sweets, try a balanced snack like nuts, yogurt with fruit, or veggies with hummus.

When you honor your energy, you’re working in alignment with your natural strengths.

Now that we’ve explored the strengths of both time and energy management, let’s talk about how to blend them for maximum impact.

Too much focus on time management can lead to rigid schedules and burnout. Too much focus on energy management without structure can lead to inconsistency. The sweet spot is using both together to create a flow that is productive, sustainable, and intuitive.

Here’s how successful entrepreneurs do it:

• Time-blocking with energy in mind: Instead of just assigning tasks to time slots, schedule them during your peak energy periods.

• Strategic flexibility: Have a plan, but allow yourself to adapt if your energy shifts throughout the day.

• Task batching: Group similar tasks together to minimize energy-draining context-switching. For example, dedicate one day to creative work, another to meetings, and another to admin tasks.

• Rest as a non-negotiable: Recognize that rest fuels productivity. Breaks aren’t a waste of time; they are an investment in energy.

By combining structured time management with intuitive energy management, you create a system that works for you instead of forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all schedule.

It’s one thing to understand these concepts. It’s another to put them into action. Here are some practical ways to implement both time and energy management starting today:

Step 1: Conduct an Energy Audit

For the next week, track your energy levels throughout the day. Write down:

• When do you feel most focused and alert?

• When do you feel sluggish or mentally drained?

• What activities give you energy vs. deplete it?

This will help you recognize patterns and align tasks accordingly.

Step 2: Restructure Your Schedule to Fit Your Energy Flow

As mentioned before, once you understand your energy peaks and dips, adjust your work schedule to match:

• Do deep work (brainstorming, content creation, strategic planning) during your high-energy periods.

• Schedule meetings, emails, and collaborative work during your moderate-energy periods.

• Save admin tasks, maintenance work, and light reading for your low-energy periods.

Step 3: Use Tools to Optimize Your Productivity & Energy

Leveraging the right tools can help you seamlessly integrate both time and energy management into your workflow. Some helpful options include:

• Rise App - Tracks and predicts your energy levels, helping you schedule tasks when you’re naturally most productive.

• Toggl- Helps track where your time is going, ensuring you’re balancing focused work and rest effectively.

• Notion or ClickUp - Great for organizing tasks based on energy levels and priority.

• Pomodoro Timer Apps - Encourages deep work and breaks, ensuring sustainable energy throughout the day.

By following these steps, you can create a personalized productivity system that works with your natural rhythms instead of against them.

True productivity isn’t about working more hours or getting more things done. It’s about using your time and energy in a way that works best for you.

You don’t have to choose between structure and flexibility. You can have both. By managing your energy as intentionally as you manage your time, you’ll get more done, you’ll enjoy the process, and you'll create a business that fuels you instead of drains you.