Time vs. Energy: What Really Drives Productivity?
👋🏻 Hello growth seekers,
Maya Angelou’s life serves as a powerful reminder that productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. Throughout her career, Angelou exemplified how aligning actions with a deep sense of purpose can transform not just personal achievements but also inspire others to rise. Whether she was writing her seminal memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, speaking at civil rights rallies, or connecting with audiences as a performer, she channeled her energy into endeavors that resonated with her values. This clarity of purpose gave her an almost magnetic focus, allowing her to achieve greatness across multiple fields while leaving a profound legacy of empowerment.
For managers navigating the complexities of the corporate world, Angelou’s example is a call to reflect on their own alignment. When your daily efforts reflect a larger vision, challenges become stepping stones rather than obstacles. Angelou’s commitment to using her voice to uplift others wasn’t just her north star—it was the fuel that sustained her. Leaders can draw inspiration from her ability to focus on the meaningful, cutting through the noise of distraction. The question her life poses is not just “How much are you doing?” but “Are you investing in what matters most?” Answering that question can transform not only your productivity but also the legacy you leave behind..
🎭 The Energy of Routine and Recovery
Angelou’s disciplined writing rituals were an anchor for her creativity. She rented quiet hotel rooms to write, keeping only a yellow notepad, a dictionary, and a bottle of sherry by her side. She wrote for a few hours each day, then stopped—not because she lacked ideas, but because she understood the importance of pacing herself. This balance of effort and rest allowed her to sustain high-quality work over decades, producing a legacy that continues to inspire.
In a world that often glorifies busyness, Angelou reminds us that deliberate routines and intentional breaks are key to lasting productivity. Managers often find themselves juggling deadlines, meetings, and team dynamics, but the practice of protecting time for deep work—while also allowing for meaningful recovery—can be transformative. Just as Angelou knew when to step away from her desk to recharge, leaders should ask themselves: Are you making space to renew your energy, or are you running on empty? By recognizing when to push forward and when to pause, it becomes possible to achieve more without sacrificing well-being.
💖 Balancing Emotions and Roles
Maya Angelou wore many hats: poet, activist, performer, and mentor. Yet she didn’t compartmentalize these identities; instead, she let them feed into one another. Her emotional energy was central to this balance. Whether pouring her vulnerabilities into her writing or bringing her convictions to public advocacy, she leveraged emotional authenticity as a strength. This ability to connect deeply—both with herself and others—resonates profoundly in leadership. Managers who practice empathy and transparency foster trust and loyalty, creating environments where teams can thrive.
Angelou also understood that energy isn’t just about productivity—it’s about resilience. She faced significant challenges, from personal hardships to societal barriers, and emerged stronger by leaning into her support systems and taking time to reflect. This holds a vital message for leaders: balancing roles doesn’t mean stretching yourself thin, but rather integrating your commitments in a way that keeps you engaged and energized. Are you investing in relationships and practices that sustain you, or are you overextending in ways that drain you? Angelou’s life shows that when roles and energy are thoughtfully managed, they create a synergy that propels not just productivity but meaningful impact.
Practical tools
“In this "Practical Tools" section, we've put together a set of resources to support your personal growth journey. Chosen for those keen to explore deeper and refine their leadership qualities, these tools are designed with genuine intention. Here, it's all about taking meaningful steps towards personal betterment. Let's begin!”
🕰️ Time-Blocking with Energy Mapping
Instead of simply scheduling tasks into your calendar, begin by assessing when your energy peaks during the day. Are you most focused in the morning? More creative in the evening? Use this awareness to match high-energy tasks (e.g., strategy planning, problem-solving) with your peak hours and reserve low-energy periods for routine tasks like responding to emails or administrative work. Pair this with intentional breaks—short pauses to recharge your energy between tasks. This approach not only boosts productivity but also prevents burnout by respecting your natural rhythms.
💡 The Energy Audit: Find Your Drains and Boosters
Take a week to track how different activities affect your energy levels. Notice which meetings, projects, or interactions leave you feeling drained and which ones invigorate you. Once you identify patterns, take deliberate steps to minimize or restructure draining activities while increasing time spent on energizing ones. For example, if back-to-back meetings sap your creativity, implement buffers for quiet reflection or quick energizing activities like a brief walk. Use these insights to recalibrate your schedule for sustained energy and focus.
🧠 The 90-Minute Sprint Rule
Our brains work best in focused intervals, typically 90 minutes long, followed by a period of rest. Structure your day into these sprints, dedicating each block to a single task. During each sprint, eliminate distractions—turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and let colleagues know you’re in focus mode. After 90 minutes, take a 15–20 minute break to step away, stretch, or even meditate. This cyclical method optimizes your energy for high-quality output.
Food For Thought
Welcome to the "Food for Thought" section, your gateway to a curated selection of resources that will nourish your curiosity and inspire your creative journey. In this corner of Growth Republic, we bring a collection of insightful resources that you can look for on the web, from thought-provoking podcasts or books, to illuminating online articles that can expand your horizons and deepen your understanding of the topics we explore. Consider it your intellectual pantry, stocked with ingredients to feed your mind, and ignite your creativity. Dive into these resources and let the feast of knowledge begin.
📖 Book: The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz - This groundbreaking book explores the idea that managing energy, not time, is the key to achieving high performance and personal renewal. The authors provide actionable strategies for balancing energy across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
📝 Article: Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time by Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy (Harvard Business Review) - This classic HBR article lays out the science-backed case for prioritizing energy over time and offers a practical framework for implementing this approach in professional settings.
📘 Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown - This book teaches how to focus only on what is truly essential, reducing wasted time and conserving energy for meaningful pursuits. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to align actions with purpose.
🌟 Online Course: The Science of Well-Being by Dr. Laurie Santos (Yale University, available on Coursera) - Dr. Santos introduces evidence-based techniques for improving happiness and productivity, including ways to boost energy and optimize how time is spen
Quote Of The Week
"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." — Michael Altshuler
About the Author
Hi, I am Cesare Zavalloni. I am a Certified Executive Coach by IMD business school and Associated Certified Coach (ACC), member of International Coaching Federation (ICF). I bring more than 20+ years of experience as corporate executive in Fortune 100 companies and as outdoor adventurer. My purpose is to guide, encourage and inspire young professionals and executives like you to see your authentic leadership nature and the new possibilities this realization creates.
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