Learning to Manage Energy Instead of Time

In the last few years, I’ve made one major shift: I protect my energy like it’s my most valuable asset. When I was starting out in my career, I said yes to everything, and honestly, that wasn’t a mistake. ✅ I needed to explore ✅ I needed to experiment ✅ I needed to learn what I didn’t want before I could figure out what I did That phase helped me grow faster than I ever imagined. But I’ve learned that what gets you here doesn’t always get you there. There’s a point in your career where the game changes. It’s not about saying yes to more - it’s about saying yes to the right things. 💡Think of it like exploration vs. exploitation in decision theory: → In the early phase, you say yes to a lot - because you’re exploring what fits, what excites you, what builds your skill stack → But as you grow deeper into your craft, your leadership, or your trajectory - it’s time to exploit what works and focus your energy Here’s what I’ve learned: 1️⃣ Energy is the real productivity unlock If you don’t have energy, it doesn’t matter how well you plan your day, you won’t be able to show up with clarity or momentum. What’s helped me: → Surrounding myself with people who add energy, not drain it → Avoiding conversations or dynamics that feel heavy or unproductive → Designing my calendar around when I do my best thinking (and protecting that time) → Letting go of things that feel mentally noisy but don’t move me forward When your energy is protected, everything from problem-solving to communication improves. 2️⃣ Productivity ≠ longer hours Working more hours isn’t a signal of effectiveness, it’s often a sign of scattered priorities or lack of focus. What’s helped me: → Prioritizing deep, focused work blocks over reactive multitasking → Treating rest as part of the workflow, not a reward after burnout → Building in short breaks to reset, especially between context switches → Letting go of the need to “fill” the day, and instead asking: What actually moves the needle? 3️⃣ Alignment > approval Not every opportunity is meant for you, and trying to please everyone eventually dilutes your direction. What’s helped me: → Asking whether an opportunity aligns with where I want to go → Choosing projects that energize me, even if they’re not the most popular ones → Walking away from things that don’t feel like a good values fit → Remembering that saying no is sometimes the clearest sign of focus You don’t need to prove your value everywhere. You need to be intentional about where you grow. So no, it’s not wrong to say yes to everything - it’s just a question of phase. If you’re in the explore phase, say yes. If you’re in the refine phase, protect your yes. That awareness alone can change the trajectory of your growth. Happy learning ❤️

I've tested over 100 productivity systems in 20+ years of building companies. Here's the one that actually works (and why most founders get it wrong): Most think success requires grinding 24/7. After selling multiple companies, I've learned the opposite is true. Systems beat hustle. Every. Single. Time. I do ten 4-hour work weeks every single week. Instead of one endless 16-hour grind, I work in concentrated 4-hour blocks with complete mental resets between each. Here's my exact system: My "Control Room" approach: • Every task gets time-boxed in Asana • Projects have dedicated boards • Meetings only Tuesday-Thursday • Zero context switching allowed • Daily review at 6 AM sharp The breakthrough came when I realized: Energy management trumps time management. I map my day to natural energy peaks: • 5-9 AM: Deep strategic work • 9-1 PM: Team alignment • 1-5 PM: Execution mode • 5-8 PM: Family time Non-negotiable boundaries: • Phone stays in another room during deep work • Mondays are meeting-free for focused work • No major decisions when mentally drained • No "just this once" exceptions The system requires ruthless prioritization. I use the "3-1-3" method: • 3 major quarterly objectives per company • 1 key metric that defines success • 3 critical tasks each day that move the needle Everything else is noise. The beauty isn't just productivity - it's freedom. I can run multiple companies while being present for my family. No more choosing between success and life. The secret to extreme productivity isn't working harder than everyone else. It's building systems that multiply your impact. Start small. Pick one element. Test it for a week. Then build from there. Join Founder Mode for free weekly insights on startups, systems, and personal growth: https://lnkd.in/gSjjvzt9

"You must be a robot." 🤖 I hear this all the time. Whether it's after a full day of meetings, a late-night writing session, or a weekend workshop, people often ask how I keep my energy so high. The truth? I'm not a robot (promise). I’ve just learned that managing energy - not just time. It's a real game-changer. ⏳ Time is finite. We all get 24 hours. ⚡ Energy, though? That’s renewable. And it’s the secret to showing up fully, consistently, and joyfully. Here’s the difference: Time management is about scheduling. Energy management is about sustainability. You can have a perfectly planned calendar and still feel drained. But when you manage your energy, you can do more of what matters - with presence and purpose. Here are 5 practical ways I manage my energy (and how you can too): Start with your body, not your to-do list. 1️⃣Movement, hydration, and sleep are non-negotiables. I treat them like meetings with my future self. 2️⃣Batch work by energy type. Creative in the morning? That’s when I write. Low-energy after lunch? That’s when I do admin. Match the task to the energy, not the clock. 3️⃣Protect your peak hours. I block off focused time for deep work and fiercely guard it. No meetings. No multitasking. Just momentum. 4️⃣Build in recovery. Breaks aren’t a luxury; they’re a strategy. I use short walks, music, or even a quick cat snuggle to reset between tasks. 5️⃣Do more of what fuels you. For me, that’s mentoring, writing, and helping others grow. When I spend time in my zone of genius, energy flows naturally. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, try shifting the question from “How can I fit this in?” to “How can I show up with energy for what matters most?” Because when you manage your energy, you don’t just get more done. You do it with heart. 💬 I’d love to hear from you: What’s one thing you do to recharge your energy during the day? Found this helpful. ♻️Share with others. #QuickBitesofInsight #EnergyManagement #Productivity #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Work

If you're a marketer, or work in a creative role, time management is bullsh*t. I always wondered why it never worked for me. I tried all the tips (time blocking, focus hours, etc.). But it was never sustainable. Then, I gradually realized what the real solution was. Energy management. Just like we have a certain amount of time every day, we have a certain amount of energy every day. And as a marketer/content creator, your tasks can be deceptive. For example, your to-do lists may seem simple, for example: - write a video script - edit 3 video clips - work on new messaging But when you get into it, you're doing mentally draining work. So, you can block time for different things on your calendar all you want, and try to plan the most productive day/week, but if you're not considering the energy that goes into each task, it'll be difficult to follow through. And IF you're able to follow through, you won't be able to maintain it for a prolonged period of time, leading to burn out. So, to remain productive AND avoid burnout, you need to consider managing your energy, moreso than managing your time. Cruising at 85% every day will prevent you from burning out in a few weeks/months (and then having to operate at 20%). Sure, you can have those days where you go 100%, but trying to do that every day will lead to burnout much faster. So, if you find yourself having trouble figuring out how to juggle your tasks, get everything done, and not feel drained for the next few days, try analyzing your tasks for how much mental energy they consume, and restructure your days accordingly.

Being busy became the badge. But no one talks about the cost. You pack your days like overstuffed suitcases. Chasing productivity while quietly leaking purpose. You call it ambition. But half the time, it’s just avoidance. Avoiding rest. Avoiding stillness. Avoiding the question: Is this pace actually sustainable for me? At some point, you stopped building capacity. And started burning through it. Here’s what I’ve learned watching people who stay grounded: → They don’t just push harder. → They pause with intention. → They protect time to reflect. → They move, eat, create, connect, and rest on purpose. Not as an afterthought. But as part of their rhythm. Because when you take care of your energy, you multiply your impact. So, before you chase another goal, ask yourself: ↳ Am I sleeping enough? ↳ Am I moving my body? ↳ Am I spending time in nature? ↳ Am I making space to think and reflect? ↳ Am I connecting with people who fuel me? You can’t pour from an empty cup. Don’t just manage your time. Manage your capacity. If you don’t protect it, no one else will. What’s one habit that helps you refill your own cup? Image credit: lovesomedove (IG)

The secret to productivity? It’s not time management. You don’t need more time. You need more energy. Everyone feels like they don’t have enough time. So we turn to time management. We block calendars, color-code schedules, and chase productivity hacks. I even took a time management course early in my career. But it missed the bigger point. Time isn’t the most important resource. Energy is. Because you can spend time two ways: On things that drain you. 🪫 Or things that fuel you. 🔋 If you only focus on managing time, your energy becomes finite. If you focus on what gives you energy, it becomes renewable. Now, I don’t just plan my week by time blocks. I ask: 📉 What will drain me? ⚡️ What will recharge me? ❤️ How can I do more of what I love? Because the real question isn’t “how do I manage time?”, It’s: “where should I invest my energy?”