Working With Your Energy: A Smarter Approach to Effectiveness in the workplace

There's a lot of buzz these days about moving work back into the office, job sharing, and all sorts of flexible work arrangements. But beyond the 'where' and 'when' of work, have we taken a moment to think about 'how' we work? More specifically, how do we work with our energy, instead of against it?

For me, effective work isn't just about the hours I put in or the location I'm working from. It's about prioritizing the right techniques and strategies that align with my energy levels, so I can focus on those high-value tasks that move the needle. This way, I conserve my energy instead of exhausting it on low-priority activities.

Think about it: we all have natural peaks and dips in energy throughout the day. For some of us, mornings are golden — a time when we're full of energy and ready to tackle our biggest projects. For others, that golden hour might be later in the day. So, why not design our workdays around those natural rhythms?

When we align our most demanding work with our energy peaks, we not only get more done, but we do it better. It’s like swimming with the current rather than against it. Imagine how much more effective we could be if we all took a little time to understand our energy patterns and used that understanding to prioritize our to-do lists.

One simple strategy that works for me is to reserve my high-energy times for those high-value tasks — the ones that are directly tied to my goals. I save routine tasks, like responding to emails or administrative work, for those natural energy dips when my focus isn't at its best. It might sound obvious, but being intentional about this has completely changed how I work.

Working with our energy, rather than just our schedule, allows us to be proactive about productivity and well-being. It means we’re not just ticking boxes, but ensuring we put our best effort into what truly matters. Imagine an entire team doing this — how much could we amplify our collective impact?

So, before diving into the conversation about where we work, let's also have a conversation about how we work. How are we structuring our days to make the best use of our energy? Are we prioritizing high-value work when we’re at our best? 

Flexible work isn’t just about location; it’s also about adapting to our natural rhythms and making our work work for us.

Whenever you are ready here are 4 ways, I can help you.

Download my special report “People Power” Leading with Energy.  Click here

Take my free Energy Diagnostic today and understand what areas of your energy you need to be working on.  Click here

Learn more about my energy kick start workshops. Make a time for a complimentary 45  minute “Chat with Heather”. Click Here

Connect with me on LinkedIn.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherhutchings-business-mentor-trainer-facilitator-/