Time is finite; Energy is not.

The Symphony of Energies - Physical, Mental, and Emotional

Time is finite; energy is a different story.

Picture your day as a symphony, with three types of energy playing together to create your daily experience: physical energy fuels your actions, mental energy powers your thoughts, and emotional energy colours your feelings. Balancing these energies isn't just beneficial—it's essential for a harmonious and productive life. This newsletter focuses on mental energy, ?and we'll dive into physical and emotional energy in the following two newsletters.

Time is finite; energy is a different story.

What is Mental Energy

Have you ever had a hectic day and felt like you've achieved a grand total of nothing significant? Welcome to the club of mismanaged mental energy, where being busy and being productive live on two different planets. You look back and realise that while you attended back-to-back meetings and answered endless emails, the work that mattered—the kind that moves your projects and careers forward—was somehow left undone, and you're just too tired to work on it. You're not alone. It's indicative not of a lack of time but rather a mismanagement of our mental energy.

Mental energy is the capacity to efficiently undertake cognitive activities such as thinking, concentrating, solving problems, making decisions, and learning. Elevated levels of mental energy boost cognitive function, memory, and creativity. Conversely, when mental energy is depleted, individuals frequently experience brain fog, diminished concentration, and compromised cognitive abilities.

Understanding that not all hours are created equal is the first step towards transformative productivity.

A Personal Discovery on Mental Energy Management

I vividly recall the day I uncovered the true essence of productivity. At the time, I was swamped with multiple projects that demanded deep creativity. Despite long hours spent grappling with emails, meetings, and interruptions, I'd find myself scrambling to accomplish meaningful work late into the night. I initially blamed poor time management. However, a pivotal shift occurred when I opted to start my day working on a complex project report instead of my usual routine of clearing emails first thing in the morning. Astonishingly, I accomplished more in those first two hours than I had in the preceding days.

This revelation marked my "aha" moment—I realised that aligning my most demanding tasks with my peak cognitive times could drastically enhance my productivity without extending my work hours. This experience led me to discover my "Einstein Hours" for intensive tasks and rescheduling less demanding activities like meetings and emails to post-lunch. This approach also proved transformative for my coaching clients, helping them prioritise their most impactful activities when their mental energy is at its peak, aka their "Einstein Hours."

The Concept of "Einstein Hours"

The term "Einstein Hours" refers to those precious windows in your day when you're operating at your cognitive peak—when your mind is firing on all cylinders, and creative thinking comes more naturally. For some, it's early morning. For others, it's late in the afternoon after the initial rush of the day has settled.

These hours are golden because they are when you can do your best work, which requires focus, problem-solving, and deep thinking. The challenge? Most of us don't take full advantage of this time, instead filling it with routine tasks or endless meetings.

How to Find & Optimise Your "Einstein Hours"

Tip 1 - Decode Your Energy Patterns

The first step in mastering your energy is to become your own observant detective. For a week, diligently track your mental focus, creativity, and motivation at different times of the day. Ask yourself: When do you feel most alert and engaged? When do tasks feel not just manageable but actually enjoyable? This personal investigation will help you pinpoint your "Einstein hours."

Everyone's energy patterns are distinct. For instance, some thrive as "morning people," hitting their peak after the day's first coffee, while others gradually ramp up to their best selves as the day unfolds.

One effective exercise I use with coaching clients is to have them create an energy chart. They chart their daily energy fluctuations, noting when they're most invigorated or when they experience a slump. Consider these client stories:

• Jane, a self-proclaimed night owl and a prolific writer, initially scheduled her most challenging tasks for the evenings, working post-dinner when the world quieted down. However, when she began monitoring her energy, a surprising pattern emerged. She was most sharp and creative mid-morning, right after her invigorating morning jog and a nourishing breakfast. Switching her schedule to align with this newfound peak time, Jane's productivity soared, transforming her workdays and enhancing her overall well-being.
• A technology department head described his daily energy as consistently high, fueled by dynamic interactions and problem-solving with his team. But despite this high-octane environment, his energy took a nosedive by evening, resembling a stock market crash. This plunge left him drained for the weekend, much to his frustration and his wife's disappointment, as their weekends turned predictably lacklustre. He's now on a mission to rebalance his energy to reclaim his weekends.
• A senior leader who works remotely once a week noticed an unexpected dip in his energy on these days. The culprit? The lavish lunches lovingly prepared by his wife were meant to compensate for his usually hurried meals. The delicious but heavy meals led to an afternoon lull. Once he realized this, he kindly requested smaller portions, reserving the rest for dinner, which helped maintain his energy levels throughout the day.

Tip 2: Prioritise and Protect Your Toughest or Most Important Work During Your Einstein Hours

Once you know your Einstein hours, protect them. During this time, focus on your most critical work—projects that require strategic thinking, decision-making, and creativity. The tasks that need your brain at its best. Some of my clients who want to be fit and healthy know that if they get their physical exercises out of the way in the morning, the two voices in their heads will fight later in the day to debate if they should work out or rest. You know which voice will win if the mental energy is low.

With your 'Einstein Hours' identified, guard them as fiercely as a dragon hoards treasure. This is prime time for tackling anything that requires heavy lifting mentally. During my 8 AM to 11 AM peak, I dive into deep strategic work—no emails, no calls, no compromises. It's like having a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on my brain. I use this window for deep work as I know the quality of work I produce will be far better.

I know what you're thinking—"But I have meetings scheduled all day. How can I possibly block time for deep work?" It's a real challenge, especially if others often dictate your diary. But even if your schedule is packed, explore ways to manage your mental energy.

Align your day with your energy peaks

Consider giving yourself transition time between meetings. Even five minutes to stand up, stretch, or grab a glass of water can help reset your mind. I know a manager who uses a walking break between meetings—just 10 minutes of movement allows her to stay energized through a long day of virtual calls.

When you align your day with your energy peaks, you don't just get more done and elevate the quality of everything you do. It's not about filling every minute with work; it's about aligning work with your optimal times. Protect these hours, and you'll find that work becomes less of a chore and more of a joy.

Tip 3: Find Your "Energy Charger"

Like a phone battery, you start with a certain percentage of energy when you wake up. No matter how well you manage your energy, there will be times when you feel drained during the day. Instead of pushing through these periods, listen to your body and take a real break.

During your energy dips, do something restorative, just like your phone requires daily charging; you do, too. Find your personal "energy charger." ?I know many people use coffee, but there are other ways. One of my clients takes a 10-minute power nap when he works from home. This, of course, does not work for everyone. I tried; either I couldn't sleep or took a two-hour nap instead! Another of my clients listens to music, while another watches cat videos on TikTok during lunch (he finds them highly therapeutic).

Explore what works for you. The last thing you want is to crash and burn at the end of the day, leaving you with little energy for yourself and your loved ones. (One of my clients often receives complaints from his wife that their weekends are non-starters.)

Your Reflections

The strategies shared here are just the beginning of a broader conversation about enhancing mental energy—no doubt, regular exercise and quality sleep play significant roles as well.

As you consider these ideas:

• Optimising Your Day: How might reorganizing your schedule to align with peak energy periods transform your productivity and personal effectiveness?
• Energy Insights: What strategies have made a noticeable difference in your mental energy levels?
• Learning from Experience: Reflect on a moment where better energy management could have reshaped an outcome. What insights did you gain from that experience?

Stay tuned for my following newsletter, where I'll explore physical energy.