Energy, Not Time: The Real Key to Productivity

by James Smith, Executive Director, Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber of Commerce

“Don’t manage your time—manage your energy.”– Tony Schwartz

We all get the same 24 hours in a day—but have you ever noticed how some hours just work better than others?

For years, productivity advice has focused on time management—blocking hours, making to-do lists, packing your calendar. But here’s the truth I’ve learned: time management only works when your energy cooperates.

And mine doesn’t always cooperate —at least, not first thing in the morning.

Mornings: Slow Starts, Strategic Focus

I’m not a high-energy morning person. I start my day slower than most, infusing myself with several cups of coffee and usually handling my emails and my “3 Things” —a practice I use to identify the three most important tasks I need to get done that day to achieve my major goal. It’s a calm, intentional way to ease into the day and get early momentum without burning through creative fuel I don’t have yet.

Trying to write, brainstorm, or lead a major planning session in the early hours? Not easy for me. I’ve learned that forcing myself to do high-energy work when I’m running on low simply leads to frustration—and poor results.

Evenings: The Spark of Creativity

My creative window opens later in the day. That’s when the ideas start to flow, when strategy makes more sense, when I feel energized and inspired to think big. I’ve learned to keep a notebook handy because those ideas don’t always wait for business hours. Late-night creativity has helped me plan events, write speeches, solve problems, and come up with some of my best strategies. In my life, my best work has occurred at night.

This isn’t a flaw. It’s a rhythm.

And when you start to recognize your rhythm—your natural energy highs and lows—you can start scheduling your day around it. That’s when everything changes.

Time vs. Energy: What’s the Difference?

Time is static. You either have an hour or you don’t. Energy is dynamic. It fluctuates based on sleep, nutrition, mindset, workload, and how well you align your work with your internal rhythm.

Two people can spend the same amount of time on a task—say, writing a report. But if one person is trying to do it during their low-energy slump and the other during their creative peak, the results (and effort) will be completely different.

How to Start Managing Your Energy

Here are a few simple ways to shift your focus from time to energy:

1. Map Your Energy Curve

Track your energy levels for a few days. When do you feel alert, focused, creative, sluggish? Most people have natural energy peaks mid-morning or late afternoon—but everyone’s different.

2. Match Tasks to Energy Zones

Do creative, strategic, or emotionally demanding tasks during your peak times. Use your low-energy hours (like my mornings) for simpler tasks—emails, admin work, errands.

3. Build in Micro-Recoveries

Take small breaks to recharge. Step outside. Stretch. Breathe. Hydrate. Even a 5-minute walk can reset your mind and help you tackle the next task with more clarity.

4. Honor Your Evening (or morning) Insights

If, like me, your ideas show up later in the day, give them a space to land. A notebook, a voice memo, a post-it. Creativity often strikes when we’re not “on the clock.”

The Big Takeaway

You don’t need more time—you need better energy for the hours you already have.

Trying to power through a task at the wrong time of day is like pushing a car uphill. But when you schedule your work to match your energy, it’s like riding downhill with the wind at your back.

Your calendar doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Your peak hours don’t have to be early. What matters is knowing when you work best—and making space for it.

So if you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or just plain tired, don’t just ask, “How can I fit this in?”Ask, “When will I have the energy to do this well?”

Then build your day around that.