Energy Management is the New Time Management

By Tyonne Boyd-Godfrey, Lifestyle Consultant

Last month, we had a heart-to-heart about why your productivity system might be failing you. If you took my advice and started paying attention to your natural rhythms, you’ve probably noticed something: Time isn’t the only currency that matters. Energy—your physical, mental, and emotional fuel—is what truly drives your productivity.

Let me say this louder for those in the back: You can have all the time in the world and still accomplish nothing if your energy is depleted.

The Time Management Trap

For decades, we’ve been obsessed with managing time. We slice our days into 15-minute increments, schedule back-to-back meetings, and pride ourselves on being “busy.” But here’s what my highest-performing clients have discovered: time management without energy management is like having a sports car with no gas.

Marcus, a finance executive I worked with last year, was scheduling his most complex analytical work for late afternoons because that’s when his calendar was free. But after tracking his energy patterns for just two weeks, he realized his mental sharpness peaked before 11 AM. When he rearranged his schedule to protect those morning hours for deep work, his output doubled—not because he had more time but because he was using his high-energy periods wisely.

Mapping Your Energy Landscape

Let’s get practical. For the next week, I want you to rate your energy levels on a scale of 1-10 at different points throughout the day. Notice patterns:

• When do you feel most alert and focused?
• When do you experience the afternoon slump?
• Which days of the week do you have more energy?
• How do different types of work affect your energy?

This isn’t about judging yourself—it’s about gathering data. Your energy patterns are unique to you, influenced by everything from your sleep habits to your hormonal cycles.

Jasmine, a marketing director and mother of two, discovered that her energy fluctuated dramatically throughout her menstrual cycle. Instead of fighting it, she now plans her most creative work during her follicular phase when her energy is naturally higher and schedules more administrative tasks during her luteal phase when her energy tends to dip.

Types of Energy You Need to Manage

Energy isn’t one-dimensional. There are four types you need to monitor:

1. Physical energy: Your body’s capacity for activity
2. Mental energy: Your ability to focus and think clearly
3. Emotional energy: Your capacity to handle feelings and interpersonal situations
4. Spiritual energy: Your connection to meaning and purpose

Each requires different management techniques. For instance:

• Physical energy responds well to movement breaks, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep
• Mental energy benefits from focused work periods followed by genuine breaks
• Emotional energy needs boundaries and time for processing
• Spiritual energy is replenished through activities that connect you to your deeper purpose

Energy Drains and How to Plug Them

We all have energy vampires in our lives—the activities, environments, or people that leave us feeling depleted. Identifying yours is the first step to managing them.

Common energy drains include:

• Decision fatigue: Making too many choices without systems
• Toxic relationships: Interactions that leave you emotionally drained
• Environment mismatches: Working in spaces that don’t support your focus
• Value conflicts: Spending time on activities that don’t align with your core values

Tonya, a client who ran a consulting business, realized that her weekly networking events were draining her introverted battery. Instead of forcing herself to attend every event, she became more selective and developed a recovery routine for afterward. Her business relationships actually improved because she was more present and energized when she did attend.

Building Your Energy Management System

Now that you understand the importance of energy management, let’s build a system that works for you:

1. Protect your peak energy hours: Schedule your most important and challenging work during your high-energy periods
2. Create energy transition rituals: Develop routines that help you shift between different types of activities
3. Design your environment: Set up your workspace to support your energy rather than drain it
4. Build in recovery: Schedule regular breaks and longer recovery periods
5. Align with your values: Ensure your work and activities connect to what truly matters to you

Remember, this is personal. What works for your colleague or that productivity guru on Instagram might not work for you. Trust your data and your experience.

This Month’s Challenge

For the next 30 days, I want you to experiment with energy management. Start by tracking your energy patterns, then make one change to better align your important work with your natural peaks. Maybe it’s scheduling your creative work for early mornings, or perhaps it’s taking a real lunch break away from your desk.

Document how this change affects not just your productivity but also your overall satisfaction and well-being. Share your results with me on this post.

Because here’s the truth: Productivity isn’t just about getting more done. It’s about having the energy to do what matters most to you in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling.

Next month, we’ll dive into digital decluttering and how to create a tech environment that supports your energy rather than draining it. Until then, pay attention to what fuels you and what depletes you. Your energy is your most precious resource—manage it accordingly.