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Energy Trumps Time Management

Writer's picture: Jade LeeJade Lee

Updated: Feb 11, 2024

I was first exposed to the idea of energy management by Col Fink, he wrote a blog on this a couple of years ago and asked the question, would you prefer to have a lot of energy and little time or a lot of time with little energy. Most people answered they would prefer a lot of energy and little time and Col’s conclusion from this was that people want more energy because energy gets things done, time does not.

Time is a finite resource where as we can renew our energy when ever we want, so it's interesting then that we are so focused on time management, why is it so? I would say it is because “it’s the way it has always been done”. I put to you that time management isn't the only way to manage work. You can also manage your energy. Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz co authored the co-authored The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal in 2003. In this book, they propose that we need to match our energy with our tasks in order to excel. Every one of our thoughts, emotions, actions and behaviours has an energy consequence. They discuss the four key management principles that help people drive performance.


  1. For full engagement, we need to draw on physical emotional, mental and spiritual energy.

  2. Since energy capacity diminishes with both overuse and under use, we should balance energy and expenditure with renewal.

  3. We must push past our limits in the same way at elite athletes do in order to build capacity for specific routines.

  4. Positive energy called positive energy rituals are important for engagement and performance.

According to the 2023 State of the Future of Work, in Australia, half of prime-aged workers (aged 25-55) felt exhausted at work. Energy is renewable, but only up to a certain point. If we are scheduling every minute of every day, productivity will decrease. We know that some tasks require more energy than others. We know multitasking is only task switching and high energy tasks can't be done productively when your energy is already eaten up by a surplus of things scheduled in your day. If we continue to fill up all our time with “doing not being” our energy will be depleted. Over time if we continue to work with a lack of energy, we will arrive at a complete productivity stall and perhaps even burnout. Here are five ways to start managing your energy not your time. Here are five ways to start managing your energy not your time:


1. Start by setting your boundaries

You might like to check out my blog on setting boundaries to remind yourself that no one knows your energy limits better than you. By setting boundaries for yourself, you simultaneously protect your energy levels and motivate yourself to achieve your goals. Being the boundary rider for yourself can help you stay accountable for your goals while helping to prevent burnout. Allow yourself some room to adapt depending on how much energy you have in a day.


2. Include rest and recovery in your plans

When managing your energy, it’s important to plan down time and recovery, not only vegging out in in front of Netflix but things that raise your vibration – spending time with family, walking the dog, swimming in the ocean, taking in a community football match. When you give yourself time to rest, you’ll replenish your energy levels and become more productive when you’re back at work. You’ll also improve your well-being and experience more positive emotions if you’re rested.

3. Schedule time for deep and inner work

There may be days where you’ll need to attend meetings back-to-back. But doing this over the long-term isn’t sustainable if you want to accomplish great work. This is why scheduling designated time for deep work is important. Deep work is an uninterrupted period when you can fully focus on high-impact work.


Utilise the Pomodoro technique to protect your energy and remain focused and productive. Know when your energy is higher and take advantage of that. Meditation and journaling are some inner work techniques that allow you to stay connected with your state.


4. Understand your energy peaks and troughs

Unlike time, energy isn’t a constant. Everyone has 24 hours in a single day. But energy levels will vary from person to person and from day to day. This is true for emotional energy, physical energy, and mental energy. There are several factors that will influence how much energy you have:


  • How much sleep you get

  • Your diet

  • The frequency of your breaks

  • Who you spend your time with (avoid energy suckers)

  • Physical activity (or lack thereof)

  • Types of tasks you perform

  • Becoming aware of what triggers negative emotions is helpful. Managing negative emotions can take up a lot of your energy

  • Know what triggers you to feel energised and what is likely to deplete the energy


Becoming aware of what triggers negative emotions is helpful. Managing negative emotions can take up a lot of your energy. Know what triggers you to feel energised and what is likely to deplete the energy.


5. Learn to delegate

Once you know what energises you and what drains you, you can better plan your day to make the most of your energy. One of the things you can do to improve your energy management is to delegate that which does not energise you.


You won’t always be in a position to delegate. There are some tasks that you’ll be required to do at work, no matter what, however, you can discuss with your colleagues to see if they have energy needs that complement yours and chose when to do the unavoidable tasks in line with your energy.


Managing your energy starts with noticing your state. Once you shift focus from energy instead of time, you can not only become more productive but also more fulfilled in your work.

If you want a guaranteed way to raise your energy levels, my Sherpa, come husband, Gobinda, and I are leading a trekking retreat in November 2024, where you will learn first hand from the Sherpas, become culturally immersed and discover a side of yourself you never knew existed. Book your leave and then book to trek with me to Everest Base Camp and Gyoko Lakes.






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