2 Great Steps to Accomplishing More...and Being Happy About It!

Recently, I watched an interview explaining the concept of managing energy instead of time with James Clear.  Time management is a favorite topic of efficiency consultants, but when the consultants leave, often employees and employers revert back to old habits of managing energy, usually not very efficiently.  We all tend to manage our energy:  we do what we think we have energy for, and sometimes that means sitting on the couch, watching a show, mowing down on potato chips.  Picture a Friday night and a heart-broken single woman eating ice cream while watching "Breakfast at Tiffany's".  She's managing energy!

We can be more efficient at managing our energy, which is always better in the long run than managing time.  If our time is very efficient and our energy is not, we will burn out at some point.  Of course, if we only manage energy, we may end up wasting time!  We need to be realistic about what we can accomplish with our time and our energy.  There are two essential parts to managing energy:  First, we must be aware of our energy expenditures; Second, we should plan for recharging energy.

Energy Expenditures

For example, I know that scheduling difficult tasks in the morning is great for me:  that's when I perform the best and the fastest.  Later in the day, I take longer to produce the same quality.  The further we get into a project without a break, the more apt we are to lowering quality.  Short-term projects for which we must devote intense energy and undivided attention may be best accomplished when we know we are at our best.


Just taking the time to be aware of our energy levels and how we are spending them is a big step in the right direction.  You have probably heard of getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast on the day of a big test in school.  This is being aware of energy expenditures, and taking time to prepare, which leads us to how to prepare...

Recharging Energy

Also, I have to take time to process events every day, which is why I like hiking.  It recharges the batteries.  Because I enjoy talking to people and helping them, it recharges my energy.  Practically, if my schedule is so full that I don't have time to connect with people, I burn out quickly.  Plus my patients feel like cattle, and I feel like I am treating them like cattle.

Finding your recharge time isn't just like me playing the guitar at the end of the day:  I have to wait all day to do that.  There are things that give you energy that can be done during the day to give you a pick-up.  You will see your productivity go up as you take time to recharge throughout the day.

Be aware of your energy expenditures and take control of your energy and time management by recharging throughout the day or during a project.  You will see yourself getting more finished, at higher quality, and you'll be happier!