Stop Managing Time—Start Managing Energy Instead

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything “right” but still running on empty… you’re not alone.

For years, I focused on managing my time like a boss. Calendars? Color-coded.To-do lists? Endless. Productivity apps? Downloaded, tested, and abandoned.

And yet, I was still tired. Still overwhelmed. Still feeling like I was falling behind.

That’s when I realized something: It’s not about time. It’s about energy.

Why Time Management Isn’t the Answer

We’re told that productivity is about using every minute wisely. But time is fixed. Your energy? Not so much.

You’ve probably felt it:

• Tasks that take 30 minutes but leave you drained for hours.

• Days where the hours fly by because you're in flow.

• Mornings where everything feels uphill, even with a “perfect” schedule.

The truth is, managing time without managing energy is like trying to sprint on an empty tank.

Energy Is the Real MVP

Here’s what changed the game for me: I stopped tracking every minute and started paying attention to what fuels me (and what drains me).

My simple energy-first system:

• 60–90 minute work sprints, then real breaks away from the screen

• Using Rize to track focus time and gently prompt breaks (not shame me into working harder)

• Dumping all my tasks into Notion, then choosing the 3 most important ones to focus on each day

The bonus? Anything I finish beyond those three is just that—a bonus. Not an expectation.

This shift made me more productive and less exhausted.

Why Creatives Need to Hear This

If you run a creative business, you know your best ideas don’t show up on command. They need space, rest, and the occasional walk around the block.

And when you treat yourself like a machine, pushing through because “the schedule says so,” burnout is right around the corner.

Here’s a quote from Designing Your Life that nails it:

“Energy is also unique in that it can go negative—some activities can actually suck the life right out of us and send us drained into whatever comes next.”

Creative energy is fragile. Respecting it isn’t laziness—it’s strategy.

Two Productivity Myths I’m Done Believing

1. Longer hours = better results Nope. Burnout doesn’t equal output. Focused, energized hours beat sloggy ones every time.

2. Technology = productivity Only if it protects your focus, not adds noise. Tools should support energy—not micromanage it.

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Protecting Your Energy Is the Real Productivity Hack

Here’s the takeaway: You can’t do your best work if you’re always running on empty.

Start small. Ask yourself:

• What drains me?

• What fuels me?

• What one shift could I make this week to protect my energy?

That one tweak could change everything.

Let’s Reflect

What’s one task, habit, or mindset you could let go of this week to reclaim your energy?

Drop it in the comments—or jot it down in your journal like a ritual. Either way, it counts.

Related Reads:

• “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans

• “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert (especially if fear and creativity wrestle in your brain often)

Heads up: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and books I genuinely use and love.