When Energy and Workload don't Align

The further I get into my career, the more important it feels to end my work day ready to enjoy my evening instead of feeling like I need to crash.

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Therefore, one of my MVP’s (most valuable practices 😀) for managing my workload is actually more about managing my energy - noticing how much energy certain tasks require, when my energy is at its highest, and how I can align those two things best so I've got some pep left when I sign off for the day.

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In an ideal world, there’s a good balance - about as much energetic demand as there is energetic availability. In that case, we can fit our tasks and our energy together like a puzzle, creating a nice picture for the day.

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But many days aren't "ideal world" kinda days.

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Today (the Wednesday before it hits your inbox), I've wound up with my newsletter writing and my monthly financial management tasks on my to-do list 😩.

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The thing is, they both require a lot of energy and they each require different energy.

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Trying to do them both on the same day is a lot.

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Trying to fit them both into the same morning?? Forget it.

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So, when high-energy tasks compete with peak-energy times, what do we do??

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If I’m lucky (present) enough to notice it, here are some of my strategies:

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✅ Move the work around

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If possible, I plan ahead and separate big-energy tasks onto different days. In the example of finances and writing - they often each take me hours and outside of the time and energy draw, I also need time to tend to other business needs/meetings/client work/etc.

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Today, moving them around entirely is not an option - school’s closed tomorrow and doing either of these things with a kiddo in the background is harder than doing them both on the same day.

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✅ Decide which one gets the prime slot

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If I can't move them to different days, I try to make the most of my energy by deciding which one needs more of it. That one gets to be in the peak energy time slot (for me, that’s ~9:00 - 11:00, which just happens to be when I’m writing this).

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The most time-sensitive parts of invoicing/monthly financial stuff will move to later in the morning and the simpler stuff can get done tomorrow. It’ll be a little slower, but it will get done.

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✅ Refresh energy along the way

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When we have lots of demands, it helps to take time for supporting practices to replenish and reenergize.

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Even though I have two high-demand tasks today, I’m not going to power through. The most important thing for me is that I take breaks that boost me up. So, today at noon, I’ll take some time to go for a walk and chat with one of the most delightful people I know.

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I have no doubt that I will come back to my computer ready for my afternoon calls. Yay!

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Leadership is a lot. If we're not careful, we'll give it all we've got and not have what we need for ourselves and all the things going on outside of work. Here's a gentle reminder to find ways to tend to your energy so you can enjoy the ride 🥰.