We've all had those days where we checked off every item on our to-do list and still collapsed into bed feeling completely drained and still buried in tasks.
The calendar said we were productive, but our body told a different story. We managed our time perfectly and somehow still ended up running on empty.
Time management has been the productivity gospel for decades, but it's built on a flawed assumption: that we all have the same 24 hours to work with.
We don't.
What we actually have are wildly different energy levels throughout those hours, and as the team at Think Herrmann explains, managing that energy (our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual reserves) might matter more than how we slice up our schedule.
The difference is significant. Time management asks "when will I do this?" Energy management asks "when will I have the capacity to do this well?"
One treats us like machines that just need better programming. The other recognizes we're humans who need fuel, rest, and the right conditions to perform.
We tend to approach our days like a game of Tetris, trying to fit tasks into available slots. But as noted in this guide to peak productivity, while time is fixed at 24 hours, energy can actually be renewed and optimized.
That morning meeting might fit perfectly in your calendar, but if it's scheduled for your lowest-energy window, you're setting yourself up to zone out while nodding along.
Here's how to lean into this:
Start tracking your energy patterns for a week. Notice when you feel sharp versus sluggish, creative versus analytical, social versus introspective. Most of us have predictable rhythms we've never paid attention to.
Then match your tasks to your energy, not just your availability. Save deep work for your peak mental energy hours, maybe that's 9am, maybe it's 9pm.
Schedule calls when you're naturally more social. Batch administrative tasks for your lower-energy windows.
If you have a draining commitment you can't move, plan recovery time after it instead of stacking more obligations.
You might also experiment with energy renewal throughout the day. A 10-minute walk between tasks isn't wasted time, it's an investment in having more capacity for what comes next.
The same goes for that lunch break you usually skip.
We're so used to optimizing our schedules that deliberately leaving gaps feels irresponsible. But working with your natural rhythms instead of against them means you'll have more to give when it actually matters.
Did this resonate with you? Forward it on to someone who could use it too. These insights are better when shared.
Cheers,
Alex
Disclaimer: I'm a curious researcher, not a licensed psychologist. I study these concepts because I believe understanding how our minds work can help us navigate life more effectively. This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal guidance. Individual results may vary, and readers should use their own judgment when applying these concepts.