Energy Matching: How to Work Smarter Instead of Harder

Plan your days according to your highs and lows

You’ve probably noticed that your energy fluctuates throughout the day. There are certain times when you tend to feel fresh and other times when you don’t.

If you want to perform at your best every day, it’s a good idea to schedule your work according to these highs and lows.

For instance, I’ve noticed that my creative energy is vastly higher in the morning. That’s when my thinking is most clear and when I do my best writing.

So, I’ve scheduled a non-negotiable deep work time block every morning for creative work. Between 8 and 10 AM, Monday to Friday, I’m writing.

I handle all other business tasks in the afternoon. That’s when I do shallow work like answering email, having meetings, and analysing marketing efforts.

Later on, at about 4 PM, I typically do my best weight-lifting. So, that’s when I usually go to the gym.

You can think of this strategy as energy matching. Reflect on what your energy levels are typically like at different times during the day. Then schedule your tasks accordingly.

Focus less on how many hours you put into your work, and more on how much energy you put into to each hour.

That way, you’ll work smarter instead of harder.