Maybe it's not what we need
Time management is a myth.
Energy management is a better approach to getting things done.
Getting to know yourself and freeing yourself from old tropes that don’t work might be what you need to get more done and feel more rested, relaxed, and joyful.
Read on for more.
Why energy and not time management?
The quest for productivity and time management – or "personal productivity" – is everywhere in the 21st century. I myself have written articles on managing routines and choosing a date planner with a goal to help people manage their time more effectively. We all only have so many hours, and we all have long lists of things to do.
But when it comes to time management, the same advice we’ve gotten for ages doesn’t always work. One-size-fits-all strategies are not necessarily effective, which can cause stress and – paradoxically enough – decrease productivity.
I recently worked with a client who was in the final trimester of her pregnancy. She was radiant, enthusiastic, and apt to tire very easily. We'd start sessions all fired up, and after only an hour or two, she'd be worn down. If we didn’t manage her energy, she literally would not be ready – and that baby was going to come whether she was ready or not.
So how can managing energy instead of time work for you? I suggest getting to know yourself and your own limits.
Define your work style.
What do I mean by "work style"?
Whether you work in an office, a classroom, or a nursery, you have a work style that reflects how much energy you generally expend on a task, and in what way. By recognizing your preferred work style and finding tools that work for you, you will ultimately better manage your time and energy.
Some people plan and prioritize. Planners write it down, keep it in an electronic calendar, or log it on a chart. Studying and facts and rules help determine priorities. These people generally respond well to traditional time management strategies.
The caveat to this is that plans do not always pan out. Hold plans with a loose grip. Allow yourself to shift, adapt, and rethink your plans to fit reality.
Useful tools: notebooks, date planners, calendars, and books
Some people are external processors. They need to discuss questions, bounce ideas, and brainstorm. They often also require appreciation for the things they do. We’re all human and want to be appreciated, but if receiving affirmation is key to your happiness, then it is bound to affect your productivity if you don’t get it.
The caveat to this is that sometimes it isn’t available from the people around you. Seek out the support you need from others. If this is an unmet need, it can prevent getting anything done.
Useful tools: people willing to discuss, like family or friends, masterminds, or a therapist.
Some people are big-picture people. They aren't necessarily into details. They value innovation and being open-minded. They can solve problems quickly and want open schedules, spontaneity, and creativity. They move fast and can be impulsive.
The caveat to this is that being impulsive requires energy. Steering that energy into productive projects is powerful. If this is something you need, be sure to have outlets for all that energy.
Useful tools: collaborative approaches help capture and implement big ideas. Work in teams when you can.
We are all of these at various times, and you might act differently in different settings. But generally one will resonate. Recognizing what mode you're in can help you manage your schedule and energy.
Manage your energy, not your time.
So what are some strategies to actually manage the energy you have?
1. Work at the time of day that works for you.
Some people have more energy in the morning, and some are night owls. Schedule your creative, deep work during the time periods when your natural energy level is highest.
2. Make fewer decisions.
Lighten your cognitive load by making decisions ahead of time so that then you don’t have to think about them again.
Meal plan. Reduce the number of cosmetics/clothes/jewelry to reduce choice. Batch like tasks together. Automate tedious tasks and delegate things you can.
Like Steve Jobs wearing the same outfit every day, free your mind from things of less value to you. Save your decision energy for things that matter the most.
3. Set realistic goals for the season you’re in.
I once had a friend who wanted to run a marathon. At the same time she had a full-time job, small children at home, a husband, and a household. Running a marathon requires a huge time commitment on weekends and multiple weekdays to log miles. She was very disappointed, but it wasn’t realistic to train for a marathon during that season of life.
Don’t try to achieve the impossible. It doesn't mean forever; it just means for now.
For my friend, that meant continuing to run on her own as it fit her schedule, and chose to delay the marathon for a few more years.
4. Disconnect and unplug.
Allow yourself to rest and recharge.
Take a hike in nature without headphones on. Set a household rule of no cell phones at the dinner table. Set a timer to turn off the TV at a specific hour.
The old-fashioned bedside alarm clock has been replaced by the cell phone – and they’re dangerous and disruptive to sleep. I have started keeping my cell phone (ringer on and alarm set) plugged in across the room. If it sits on my bedside table, it is too easy to pick it up when I wake in the night.
5. Practice regular self-care.
We don’t glorify this enough as a society. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you don't have the energy to be as effective an employee, parent, partner, or friend. Protect your sleep; eat healthy foods; drink plenty of water; move a bit every day. Allow yourself to rest. Spend time with the people you love; connection brings energy.
Like the safety briefing on an aircraft, put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Make sure your own energy cup is filled.
Try these out and see if managing your energy helps you “manage your time” and “be more productive”. And give yourself lots of grace. There is nothing I want more for you than to achieve all you desire – but not at the cost of your health, your family, or your joy.
I am here if you need me, friends. I am happy to talk through strategies to help you lead a better and more fulfilling life at home and work.
Be well.
When you're ready to tackle your tough organization project, I am here to help you learn how.
Let's RETHINK organization together.
For more information, visit the RETHINK website today.
Mandy Thomas is a professional organizer fulfilling her lifelong passion for creating order out of chaos. She finds joy in helping people tackle their most overwhelming spaces and collections to create the optimal living space and enjoy their homes.
RETHINK organization is on a mission to help you develop long-term patterns of organization that you can maintain and feel good about long after our work together is done.
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