How To Make The Most of Your Time With This Overlooked Concept

Time management is hailed as the ultimate productivity hack.

If you manage your time, you can get more done, right?

Right?

Now don’t get me wrong: time management is a very valuable and important skill to have.

You learn how to plan your days, optimise your schedules and squeeze every second out of the 24 hours you have.

Yet, even with the ‘perfect’ schedule, many entrepreneurs and creators still feel stuck.

You’ve likely tried all the productivity hacks: waking up earlier, time-blocking, and planning your day to the minute.

Yet, by mid-afternoon, your brain is foggy, your energy is gone, and the tasks are still piling up.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I not getting more done, even with perfect time management?” you’re not alone.

The truth is, you’ve been looking at one half of the equation when it comes to productivity. But if you want to achieve peak productivity you need the other half: energy management.

Part 1: Time Management

Time management is crucial.

After all, time is finite and the one resource you can never truly get back.

You need to be intentional and smart about how you divide it and use it.

That’s why you have calendars, planners, to-do lists, and productivity apps have become staples of our daily lives.

We have things to do and want to be as efficient as possible. To squeeze as much as we can into every minute:

• Morning meetings.

• Back-to-back calls.

• A dozen tabs open, juggling emails while brainstorming.

But here’s the catch: Time management assumes you have infinite energy to fill every slot. That if you structure every minute in the best way possible, all you have to do is the work.

But we aren’t machines.

We have finite energy too.

And without energy, all the time in the world won’t make you productive.

Time management alone fails because:

1. It Ignores Your Natural Energy Cycles

   Not all hours in a day are created equal. Your energy naturally ebbs and flows based on your circadian rhythms.

   Time management doesn’t account for this, leading to mismatches between your energy levels and task demands.

2. It Leads to Over-Scheduling

   The pressure to maximise every moment often results in packed schedules with no room for breaks or recovery.

   This approach leaves you mentally and physically depleted.

   And when you don’t intentionally rest, your body will force you to.

3. It Can Ultimately Lead to Burnout

   You can’t power through exhaustion or brain fog with a perfectly planned calendar.

   Without energy, even the best-laid plans crumble.

   And your work and performance suffer drastically in a state of burnout.

If time management were the ultimate solution, we wouldn’t leave so many people who suffer from burnout.

The misconception here is that productivity is purely a matter of scheduling and discipline.

But to increase your output, whether quality or quantity, you need to the other half of the coin:

Energy.

Part 2: Energy Management — The Flip Side

Now imagine this:

You wake up feeling energised, clear-headed, and ready to tackle your day.

Instead of hitting a mid-afternoon slump, you power through with sustained focus.

You end your workday, having completed all your high-impact work, and still have energy for your personal life.

Peak productivity is not about working longer hours or finding the perfect app.

It’s about optimising your energy so you can perform at your peak, no matter how much or how little time you have.

This is the magic of energy management.

Unlike time, which is fixed, your energy is a renewable resource.

When you learn to maximise it, you work smarter, not harder.

Here’s why energy management is a game-changer:

1. It Aligns Work with Your Energy Peaks

   By understanding your natural energy cycles, you can align your most demanding tasks with your peak energy times. By working with them, you amplify focus and creativity.

2. It Prioritises Recovery

   Energy management emphasises the importance of rest and recovery.

   Instead of waiting for your body to force you to rest, you rest with intention.

   When you recharge effectively, you bring more focus and creativity to your work.

3. It Promotes Sustainable Productivity

   Instead of short bursts of productivity followed by burnout, energy management enables consistent, sustainable output over the long term.

   This is how you win the long game: being able to go further for longer than others.

The Four Pillars of Energy Management

To maximise your energy, you need to focus on four key areas: physical, mental, emotional, and environmental energy.

1. Physical Energy: The Foundation

Your health is the foundation of success. Neglect it, and no productivity hack will save you.

Here’s how to optimise your physical energy:

• Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep.

• Fuel your body: Choose foods that provide sustained energy—complex carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats. Limit sugar which causes energy crashes. Use caffeine as a focus tool.

• Move daily: Exercise boosts blood flow and releases endorphins. A simple 20-minute walk can recharge your energy levels. It’s also a great time to brainstorm.

• Hydrate: Dehydration leads to fatigue. Keep water within reach all day.

2. Mental Energy: The Focus Factor

Your mind is your most valuable tool. Protect it from distractions and overstimulation.

Here’s how to optimise your mental energy:

• Limit multitasking: Focus on one task at a time for deeper work and fewer mistakes.

• Take breaks: Work in work block sessions e.g. 45 minutes of work, 15 minutes of rest (you can create your own times) to maintain sharp focus and deep flow.

• Plan with intention: Start your day with your top three high-leverage tasks. These are the top priorities. This prevents you from getting lost in busy work.

• Declutter your mind: Journaling or brain-dumping clears mental space, so you can focus on what matters. Keep a piece of paper nearby where you can jot down random thoughts and ideas. Address these during your work block breaks.

3. Emotional Energy: The Motivation Driver

Your emotions influence your productivity more than you realise. Negative emotions like stress and frustration drain energy, while positive emotions fuel momentum.

Here’s how to optimise your emotional energy:

• Practice gratitude: Spend 5 minutes daily reflecting on what you’re grateful for to shift your mindset. This can be done in the morning, evening or before each work block session.

• Set boundaries: Protect your emotional energy by saying no to unnecessary commitments.

• Connect with purpose: Remind yourself why your work matters. A strong “why” fuels motivation. This “why” can be your vision of the future or a reminder of why you’re working.

• Watch your inner dialogue: Make your mind a great place to be. Be your biggest fan and supporter, not your greatest critic.

4. Environmental Energy: The Hidden Boost

Your surroundings either support or sabotage your energy levels.

Here’s how to optimise your environment:

• Declutter your workspace: A clean, organised space reduces mental distractions.

• Leverage lighting: Use natural light whenever possible to stay alert and focused.

• Control noise: Invest in noise-cancelling headphones or play focus-enhancing music.

• Surround yourself with inspiration: Add plants, motivational quotes, or anything that lifts your spirits.

The Energy Management Framework

Now it’s time to take control of your energy.

Here’s a framework to help you master energy management and unlock peak productivity.

Step 1: Audit Your Energy Levels

Start by tracking your energy throughout the day for a week. Use a simple scale (e.g., 1-10) to rate your energy levels every hour. Look for patterns:

• When do you feel most focused and energetic?

• When do you feel sluggish or distracted?

These insights will reveal your natural energy peaks and dips, which you can use to optimise your schedule.

Step 2: Match Tasks to Energy Levels

Once you understand your energy patterns, assign tasks accordingly:

• High-Energy Periods: Focus on deep work, high-leverage tasks, strategic thinking, or creative projects.

• Low-Energy Periods: Tackle routine or administrative tasks that need less focus.

This alignment ensures that you’re working with your energy, not against it.

Step 3: Optimise Your Sleep and Recovery

Sleep is the foundation of energy management. Prioritise these habits:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.

• Create a calming evening routine to wind down.

• Limit screen time and caffeine before bed.

Proper sleep improves mental clarity, decision-making, and overall productivity.

Step 4: Fuel Your Body and Mind

Nutrition and hydration play a huge role in energy levels. Follow these principles:

• Eat balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and slow-digesting carbs.

• Avoid sugary snacks that cause energy crashes.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Good fuel = good focus.

Step 5: Move Your Body

Incorporate regular movement to boost energy:

• Take short walks or stretch breaks during work sessions.

• Try quick workouts in the morning or midday to recharge.

Physical activity enhances circulation, oxygen flow, and mental alertness.

Step 6: Limit Energy Drains

Protect your energy by minimising distractions and decision fatigue:

• Pre-plan meals, outfits, and daily priorities to reduce mental load.

• Set boundaries around your work hours and limit interruptions.

Every small effort to preserve energy adds up.

Your Next Steps

Here’s your challenge for this week:

1. Pick one pillar of energy management (physical, mental, emotional, or environmental).

2. Choose one action step to implement for 7 days.

3. Track and reflect on your results: How does this change your focus, productivity, and well-being?

Optional:

Share your progress with me!

Hit “Reply” and let me know how you optimise your energy. I’d love to hear about your wins and challenges.

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter and I’ll see you in the next one.

— Shana