Ditch Time Management: Master Your Energy to Be Unstoppable

Forget about time management—it's a myth that's holding you back from reaching your full potential. The truth is, it's not about how much time you have, but how much energy you bring to the table. Here's what you need to know.

More energy. More time.

I get it, you want to get more done, improve your life, achieve your goals. Mostly, you’re just running the rat race. I've been there. I spent most of my life disconnected, hustling, exhausted. I remember being too tired and wired to play with my daughter at the end of the day, having no edge at work.

What saved me? An alternative approach to time management. Now, I feel balanced and whole. Calm in everyday chaos. In flow on demand. And in control of my time!

Imagine waking up every morning not feeling the dread of the alarm clock but instead feeling invigorated, ready to tackle the day with enthusiasm and creativity.

The secret lies not in managing the calendar more tightly or squeezing more hours in the day, but in harnessing and optimizing our energy.

Managing Energy Versus Managing Time

We can continue to crank through to-do lists. We can block our time and use cool tech. And still, there will only ever be 24 hours in the day.

When we shift our focus to something we can control—expanding and renewing our physical and mental energy levels— we can be more alert, more present, more efficient and make the most of that time. It unlocks a whole new level of performance and well-being.

Research shows that people who prioritize their energy levels over their time are more productive, creative, and successful in both their personal and professional lives. A report by the Energy Project in the Harvard Business Review found that knowledge workers who took regular breaks to recharge their batteries were 13% more engaged and 18% more productive than those who didn't. They report a 30% higher level of focus and a 50% greater capacity to think creatively. Who doesn't want more of that?

When we get it right, the rewards are immense. Imagine feeling more connected to your work, more present with your loved ones, and more fulfilled at the end of each day. That's the power of energy management.

Take the example of Arianna Huffington, who transformed her life and her company by prioritizing sleep and well-being. After collapsing from exhaustion in 2007, she realized that her relentless focus on work was unsustainable. She began prioritizing sleep, meditation, and exercise, and saw a dramatic improvement in her productivity, creativity, and overall happiness. 

How Do We Manage Our Energy?

It’s not about drinking more coffee, doing another wellness program, or digital detoxes. It’s about optimizing our ecosystem to create the conditions for a better version of ourselves to emerge.

There are three areas to leverage:

  • Body. We can leverage the body through hydration, food, sleep, physical activity, and recovery, which all impact our energy levels. We can cultivate, amplify and align the basic requirements for producing physical energy.

  • Mind. Mindset, emotional intelligence, values, vision and aspirations influence how dynamic we are. We can cultivate positive emotions, communication, attention, focus, and creativity. We amplify and align drivers such as curiosity, passion, and purpose.

  • Environment. The energy equation includes light exposure, circadian rhythms, people who drain us or pump us up, distractions that suck up our vitality, and the boundaries we set to protect our space—your connections to the world around. We can create a physical and mental environment conducive to our goals and build flexible systems to help keep us where we want to be.

In the end, we want to be physically energized, feel emotionally connected, mentally focused and aligned with what's important to us.

Here's What You Need to Know and Energy Management

By managing energy effectively, you are not just doing more, but being more present, engaged, and happy. Transform your life by focusing on what energizes you, and reduce what drains you. Here are some keys.

  • Understand your foundational non-negotiables: What allows YOU to show up full of energy? Think about sleep, nutrition, exercise, positive relationships, stress management, stimulating activities, connecting with values. What does that look like for you?

  • Make small, intentional changes that align with your natural rhythms and needs to optimize your energy ecosystem.

  • Know what drains you and do less of it. Know what energizes you and do more of it.

In summary, the key is understanding that energy, unlike time, is renewable and it fluctuates. By deliberately managing the different dimensions of your energy, you can bring higher quality and more focused effort so you optimize your time usage. It's not about doing more; it's about being more—more present, more engaged, and more fulfilled.

Take Action

If you're intrigued by the idea of transforming your life through energy management,

Anne TragerPotentializing Your Time