The Energy of Timing
Your timing changes everything...
Timing has a massive impact on our energy levels and the outcome of everything we do. I used to waste so much energy doing things at the wrong time!
If you have ever tried to have a difficult conversation when you're exhausted or attempted creative work when your brain feels like sludge, then you will know what I am talking about.
Most of us don't pay enough attention to WHEN we do things. We push through, trying to force productivity when our energy is low, or waste our high-energy periods on mindless tasks.
Understanding your personal energy rhythm can transform your effectiveness:
Track your energy for a week. Notice when you naturally feel most alert, creative, or focused. Is it early morning? Late afternoon? Evening? There's no right answer - just YOUR answer. Understanding your natural rhythm is a game changer.
Identify your prime time. This is your golden window - usually 2-3 hours when your brain is firing on all cylinders. Guard this time fiercely! Schedule your most challenging work during these hours.
Match tasks to energy levels. High-energy periods are for creative thinking, problem-solving, and difficult conversations. Save administrative tasks, emails, and routine work for when your energy naturally dips.
Stop forcing productivity when you're depleted. Working an extra hour when you're exhausted might feel virtuous, but you're actually being inefficient! You'll spend twice as long doing half as good a job and possibly end up making stupid mistakes.
Create energy transitions. Use small rituals to shift between activities - a quick walk, a cup of tea, or a stretch break can reset your energy and prepare you for what's next.
Everything has its right time. Fighting against your natural rhythms is like swimming upstream. It's exhausting and unnecessary!
When you align your activities with your energy levels, you'll find yourself accomplishing more with less effort. Tasks that used to drain you suddenly feel manageable when tackled at the right time.
Energy management is more important than time management. Start asking yourself when is the best time for me to do this. Going with your flow will improve your flow!
Let me know how you get on...
ENERGY CLUB UPDATES:
Feeling drained by certain people in your life? Check out the new Energy Club podcast episode where I talked about "energy vampires" - those people who leave you feeling completely depleted. From drama queens to human dumpsters, control freaks, victims, and narcissists. 🎧 Listen here.