Episode 112 - Managing your energy, not just your time

In this episode, I want to talk about something that's been on my mind for a while now: managing your energy, not just your time.

I've been thinking a lot about how I can articulate what it is that I do and how I help people, especially when it comes to planning and systems, and then adding in cycle syncing. It can be hard to put into words, but I had a bit of an epiphany this week. The easiest way to sum it up is that I help people work with and manage their energy to be productive and get things done without burning out.

A lot of productivity advice out there focuses on managing your time, but that's only part of the equation. Managing your energy is actually more important and sustainable in the long run. Just because you have the time to do something doesn't mean you have the energy or capacity to do it.

So, how do we work with and manage our energy when it comes to getting stuff done and moving forward in our business?

Here are some tips:

1. Accept Your Energy Levels

Learn to accept what your physical and mental energy is in the moment. Don't waste time and energy wishing things were different. If you're not feeling it, take a break, go for a walk, or do something else that will help you recharge.

2. Know Your Capacity

Understand when you are typically the most productive in the day. Are you a morning person, an afternoon person, or an evening person? If you're someone with a menstrual cycle then work with your cyclical energy. Also, understand the things that drain your energy and plan to work around those when you can.

3. Save Time and Energy with Systems

Put things in place that will save you time and energy. Have the right tech, apps, and automations set up to support your business, so you're not physically doing everything manually.

4. Set Boundaries

Be clear about what is and isn't acceptable to you, and set boundaries with yourself, your clients, your business, and your friends and family. Protect your time and energy for your business, and don't let others interrupt that time.

5. Listen to Your Body

Take breaks, rest when you need to, and do things that fill up your cup physically, mentally, and emotionally. Prioritize sleep, eat good food, and exercise. Don't underestimate the importance of listening to your body when it tells you what it needs.

When you start to work with and manage your energy, not just your time, you can run your business in a way that doesn't drain you or burn you out. You can reach your goals without hustling constantly or becoming resentful or frustrated with your business.

I know this isn't something that will magically happen overnight, but it's worth working on. I've been on my own journey from burnout, and I've found that working with and managing my energy has been so much more effective in terms of getting things done and making progress.

So, if you're someone who's feeling fatigued or resentful about the amount of time and energy you're pouring into your business, I encourage you to look at how you plan and run your business. Do it in a way that's more in alignment with your energy, and put in place those things like systems, boundaries, and self-care practices that will help you save time and energy.