We’ve been taught to manage our time like a puzzle, squeezing everything in. But real productivity? That’s driven by energy, not the clock.

When you focus on what energizes you, and align your work around it, you get more done with less stress, more creativity, and fewer coffee refills.

Here are five practical ways to ditch the traditional “time management” mindset and shift into energy management mode:

1. Know What Gives You Energy (and What Drains it)

Start by noticing which tasks leave you feeling energized versus depleted. For me, brainstorming new ideas or solving big problems fuels my energy. For others, it might be organizing systems, analyzing data, or building lasting physical solutions.

Your energy is personal, treat it like a resource. The Kolbe MO is a great tool to uncover how you naturally work in alignment with your energy.

2. Plan Your Day Based on Energy, Not Just Time

Time-blocking still works, but don’t stop there. Pair each block with the kind of energy the task requires.

High-focus, creative work? Schedule it when your energy is strongest, often early in the day. Low-energy tasks like admin or email? Save those for when you naturally dip.

3. Limit Energy Leaks

A five-minute tech glitch or off-topic email can derail deep work. Identify your top distractions, and create strategies to minimize them. (Pro tip: batch email checks and set tech-free work zones when needed.)

Also, recognize which tasks you’re forcing yourself to do that could be delegated or done differently.

4. Leverage Other’s Strengths

You don’t have to do it all, especially the parts that drain you. Collaborate with people whose natural strengths complement yours. If your genius is big ideas, partner with someone who thrives on execution.

Working with others based on their Kolbe strengths keeps momentum high without burning anyone out.

5. Set a Clear Goal and Work Backwards

One of my favorite pieces of advice for clients is “Everything starts by setting a date.”

Having a fixed deadline gives your energy a target. From there, you can reverse-engineer the steps, and assign them based on when your energy (or your team’s) is best suited for each phase.

Final Thought:
Energy management leads to better work, more satisfaction, and less burnout. So, the real question is:

What could your workday look like if you planned around your energy, not just your calendar?

Try it for a week. You might be surprised by how much you get done, and how much better it feels.