The Big Shift: Don't Manage Your Time, Manage Your Energy

When I first picked up the book The Art of Full Engagement, I knew it would become a favorite. Just listen to this tag line -- Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.

You see, back in the day, I had done triathlon and you can imagine, you simply do not have time train in all three disciplines -- swimming, biking and running -- in any given day. So you created a strategic training schedule to meticulously balance energy expenditure of your training times with intermittent energy renewal.

This, to me, is such an important principle that most entrepreneurs don’t realize until they’re deep in burnout mode: it’s not enough to build a business—we want to build a lifestyle that gives us the freedom to enjoy the things we love most.

Family. Friends. Fun. And don't forget the finances to do it all!

But here’s the thing—if we’re constantly exhausted, distracted, or overwhelmed, success won’t feel like success at all. That’s where energy management comes in.

THE BIG SHIFT >>
Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time

Most of us were taught that time management is the key to getting more done. We try planners, productivity apps, batching techniques—all in the hope of squeezing more into our day.

But here’s what The Energy Project teaches (and what I’ve learned firsthand): time is a finite resource, but energy is renewable. When you manage your energy effectively, you don’t just work more efficiently—you work with more clarity, creativity, and impact.

The 5 Core Principles of Energy Management

If you’re constantly feeling like you have too much to do and not enough time, these five principles from The Energy Project can completely transform how you work—and how you feel while doing it.

1. Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Instead of trying to fit more into your schedule, focus on how you show up for the things that matter most. High-performance athletes don’t train all day—they work in focused, intentional sprints and prioritize recovery. We should do the same in our businesses.

💡 Ask yourself: What daily habits help you recharge so you can bring your best energy to your work?

2. Strategic Work vs. Busy Work

Not all work is created equal. It’s easy to fill our day with tasks that make us feel productive but don’t actually drive results. The key is focusing on the right things—the high-impact activities that move your business forward.

💡 Ask yourself: If you only had three hours to work today, what are the most important things you’d need to get done? And what can you delegate, automate, or release altogether?

3. The Four Types of Energy

We often think of energy as purely physical, but it actually comes in four forms:

• Physical Energy (your body’s stamina and resilience)

• Emotional Energy (your mood, mindset, and stress levels)

• Mental Energy (your ability to focus and think clearly)

• Spiritual Energy (your sense of purpose and alignment with your values)

When one of these is depleted, it affects everything else. That’s why prioritizing self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a business strategy.

💡 Ask yourself: Which type of energy do you tend to neglect? How can you refuel it?

4. The 90-Minute Work Cycles

Research shows that we work best in 90-minute cycles, followed by short breaks. Our brains aren’t designed for nonstop focus. Pushing through exhaustion doesn’t lead to more productivity—it leads to more mistakes, slower thinking, and burnout.

💡 Try this: Instead of powering through an 8-hour day, experiment with 90-minute work blocks followed by 10–15 minutes of renewal (walking, stretching, deep breathing). Notice how much sharper you feel!

5. Energy Rituals: Daily Practices That Sustain You

Success isn’t about grinding endlessly—it’s about creating rituals that sustain your energy long-term.

That might mean starting your day with movement, setting boundaries around screen time, or creating a wind-down routine at night. Small, consistent rituals help you stay at your best without constantly feeling drained.

💡 Ask yourself: What’s one simple daily habit that helps you feel more energized and present?

Apply This to Your Business (And Your Life)

If you’ve been operating in hustle mode, feeling stretched thin, or wondering why more effort isn’t creating more results… it’s time to shift your approach.

✨ Success isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things—with the right energy.

✨ Clarity + focus > constant hustle. Every single time.

✨ AI and automation can help take some of the heavy lifting off your plate—so you can protect your energy for the things that matter most.

Ready to Make This Shift?

If you’re feeling spread thin and craving a simpler, more strategic way to market your business, I’d love to help.

💡 Book a WOW Messaging Make-over – and we’ll use our time together to streamline your marketing, get strategic, and build a plan that supports your energy—not drains it.

Click here to book your session

Because at the end of the day, you didn’t start your business to be create busyness—you started it to create freedom. Let’s make that a reality.