How I use software to stay in the flow and work with the right energy every day

One of the biggest challenges I've faced when running a growing business has been the multiple demands on my time, causing me to jump from one random thing to the next every day.

I found it exhausting?and?I also had a constant feeling like I should be getting more done.

That's when I heard about using the principles of the Chinese elements to ensure I'm working with the right energy every day. In Traditional Chinese Philosophy, the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) represent dynamic processes that naturally transition into each other, creating a balanced and harmonious flow.

After a good deal of research into the?elements,?and the energy that each carries, I?came up with?this schedule for my working week, with each day focusing on the appropriate task type for that day. Here's how you can do the same:

???Monday?-?Admin (Water Element):?Start the week by grounding yourself in?organisational tasks and admin?work. Water signifies adaptability and fluidity, helping you stay?organised?and set a solid foundation for the week.?Water flows into Wood, nurturing growth and renewal.

???Tuesday - Reflection & Delivery (Wood Element):?Review progress, refine goals, and deliver on commitments. Wood represents growth and flexibility, perfect for reflecting and improving. Wood flows into Fire, igniting passion and creativity.

???Wednesday?-?Content Creation and Innovation (Fire Element):?Tap into creativity mode and build engaging content. Fire ignites creativity and passion, making it the ideal day to spark new ideas, too.?Fire flows into Earth, providing stability after the intense energy of Fire.

???Thursday - External Meetings (Earth Element):?Network, build relationships and collaborate with external partners. Earth is all about stability and nurturing relationships, which aligns well with meeting new people and fostering connections. Earth flows into Metal, giving clarity and precision.

???Friday - Strategy & Nurturing (Metal Element):?Plan for the future by developing strategies while?also?nurturing life and business. Metal stands for precision and clarity, ideal for strategy and life-nurturing tasks. Metal flows into Water, providing reflection and adaptability.

Now for the practicalities. I use?Reclaim.ai?(or you could use Motion) to automatically assign each task to the?right?day based on its category.?Both these tools?provide the ability?to use AI to assign tasks to your calendar,?so they get done.

Set up the custom days/times within the?software,?so that each task category falls into the right day. By aligning my workflow with each day's energy, I stay in context, reduce mental fatigue from context switching, and ensure a seamless flow from one day to the next.

Why it works

??Stay in Flow:?Focusing on one category of tasks per day lets me get into a rhythm and accomplish more.

??Less Context Switching:?No more juggling between meetings and creative work—each task has its dedicated day.

??Consistent Energy:?Working with the Chinese elements?keeps my energy balanced?throughout the week.

How You Can Do It Too

1. Define Categories:?Identify your?key?task categories that align with your goals.
2. Assign Days:?Designate specific days for each category.
3. Use Reclaim.ai/Motion:?Automate the scheduling of tasks onto their corresponding days.
4. Review Regularly:?Adjust regularly and follow the tasks assigned to your calendar to maintain your rhythm.

Have you tried a system like this before? How do you ensure you're working with the right energy each day? Share your thoughts in the comments! ??