Episode 02 Show Notes

Why I Manage My Energy Instead Of My Time

We talk a lot about “time management” in the world. I have reflected over the past several years on how my energy level actually determines more of my ability to feel fulfilled and be productive than how much time I think I have. This podcast jumps into the ideas of energy management in more detail!

Segment: Odd Jobs

If you’re anything like me, you have a laundry list of different jobs! Each time I share this segment, I want to share one of the jobs I had during my life, and some of the lessons I learned while working there.

The job I feature in this episode is an old French bakery called Normandie Cafe (now closed), that existed for many years in Holladay, Utah.  I worked behind the counter as a barista and filling orders.

Three things I learned working at Normandie Bakery:

1. Cakes are made ahead and frozen. They keep well in the freezer, then can be pulled out and frosted and personalized for an event.
2. The Power of The Broiler. When you reheat food and add some cheese,the best way to finish the meal is in the broiler. It melts the cheese and makes it gooey and bubbly and crusty. I love it.
3. The Perfect Chocolate Ganache. I loved learning how to melt semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave, then add a bit of cream to give it a perfect bite.

When I Discovered Energy Management

After the birth of my 3rd child, I had a lot of stress and burnout happening. I was getting to nap time and not able to do any of the things that I wanted to do because I was out of energy! I was doing so much to try to maintain my regular schedule, and I just couldn’t keep up.

Time Vs. Energy

We all have the same amount of time. In some ways, I do believe that time can be abundant and flexible depending on the way think about it and how we use it. However, in general we each have 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 52 weeks per year.

With time, you use it or you lose it. But with energy, you can do or even think about things that recharge you so that you then can accomplish more.

“The difference between time and energy is that energy is renewable.”

There are also things that can quickly diminish your energy level. A bad conversation, unexpected experience, or even a comment on social media can zap us of positive and productive energy for the whole day, if we let it!

Things to Recognize Regarding Energy Management

1. We come born with a certain level of energy.

Our natural energy profiles are super different and in this way we cannot compare ourselves to others! The things that build and drain our energy are all different.

2. The things that build your energy are the things you love.

What builds your energy are the things that light you up. It is so freeing that you get to do this work for yourself and not worry about what anyone else is doing! You have to turn inward and determine what matters the most to you.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT BUILD YOUR ENERGY QUICKLY?

“The factors that build your energy are the things that bring you joy. The things that light you up.”

3. The things that drain your energy are the things that don’t matter to you.

The things that you spend time feeling in confusion about, or that you spend a lot of time making a decision and don’t ever feel very good about are the things that will drain your energy.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BURN YOUR ENERGY QUICKLY?

“If I am pouring my energy into a problem that I can’t control, I am dumping it all into a bucket with the hole in the bottom.”

What Does Energy Management Look Like In My Life?

I work in the morning when my energy is naturally higher. Those morning hours are like gold!

I also try not to do anything worthwhile after 10pm. I turn into a pumpkin! For the most part, if something requires my attention or any type of creativity, I need to focus on them earlier in the day.

I like to save more mundane or mindless tasks with lower energy times of day.

I get into a flow before I work with some self-care habits. Some things I do regularly to maintain my happy energy are: getting a regular manicure, do a creative exercise before I begin working, I try to go for a walk or do a gratitude practice.

I ask myself “What else could I be doing?” That helps me go accomplish something more meaningful than scrolling though my phone or watching Netflix.

“What are the things that bring you joy? What builds your energy quickly? And are those things part of your regular schedule? If not, you need to do some shifting.”

Creating a Personal Energy Profile

Here is the PDF I shared on the podcast. Print it out and answer the questions in order to have some self-reflection and determine what times of day are the best for you, and what things build and drain your energy.

“Try to fill you life more with the things that you love, and try to eliminate more of the things that don’t matter to you. And realize that it is all so personal.”

Seasons of Life Change Energy Levels

Recognize that although we always have the same amount of time in each day, the circumstances of our lives can hugely impact the amount of energy we have.

Moving, having children, changing jobs, dealing with loss or health issues, and unexpected changes can all affect our ability to produce at our highest level. Recognizing and understanding this basic energy principle will allow us to have so much more patience with ourselves during low energy times of life.

“We haver to allow ourselves grace and patience through our lower energy times of life. As we do that, with gratitude, we will be a able to transition back into higher energy seasons with ease.”

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING! Catch you next week!