Time and energy management is often seen as a productivity tool, but in reality, it’s one of the most powerful forms of self-care. Managing your time effectively isn’t just about getting more done – it directly impacts your wellbeing, stress levels, and overall quality of life.
The Vicious Cycle of Poor Time & Energy Management
In my work, I’ve seen firsthand how poor time and energy management creates a vicious cycle: the more stressed and overwhelmed people feel, the more reactive they become, and out of control they feel, constantly firefighting and chasing their tails. The irony is that this state of chaos makes it even harder to break free and take control.
When working with busy professionals – people who are producing a high volume of work under pressure and long hours – I often come up against the same resistance. They struggle to believe that taking time to plan and structure their work could make any real difference. Many assume that making time for planning will only slow them down or restrict them, but in reality, the opposite is true.
The Shift That Changes Everything
The moment they begin implementing the right time and energy tools, something remarkable happens: they don’t just get more done, they do so with significantly less stress. They feel ahead of themselves rather than constantly playing catch-up. They regain a sense of control, they’re able to set better boundaries, delegate more effectively, and most importantly, protect and support their wellbeing better.
They cultivate a completely different relationship with time – where time feels on their side, where they’re in control and time is their ally, not their enemy. They also feel good about themselves because their self-trust is back, and they feel on top of things and accomplished.
The key insight here is that a reactive state (which is a stress state) warps perception. When you’re overwhelmed, everything feels urgent, and the cycle of reacting rather than proactively managing tasks becomes ingrained and normal. It’s easy to believe that you don’t have time to plan – but the reality is, you don’t have time not to. Even a small shift in your approach can completely change how you experience your workload.
My Own Transformation: From Procrastination to Productivity
I know this because I’ve lived it. For years, I was the ultimate procrastinator. I left the most important tasks until the last minute, convincing myself I worked better under pressure. In truth, I was trapped in an exhausting loop of avoidance and last-minute stress, always rushing, always feeling behind, and carrying a lot of shame because I knew it was mostly self-inflicted stress – but somehow, I couldn’t see how to change it. I used to look at people who always planned ahead, arrived early, and assumed they were just wired differently – until I realised it wasn’t about personality, but about tools. Tools that become habits and eventually ways of being that are then normal to you.
I created the strategies I now teach my clients because I needed them myself. Today, I work in a way that is the complete opposite of how I used to operate. I tackle the hardest tasks first, well before deadlines, and I can honestly say that the difference in my mental state is night and day. The constant stress, the feeling of being behind, and the mental exhaustion are gone. Also, I get so much more done and I have great boundaries with others and myself – I do what I say I will! I say no when I need to, without feeling guilty. I’m prepared, plan ahead, and rarely ever miss or forget to do things. And I’ve taught many of my clients how to achieve the same.
What If Time Was Your Ally, Not Your Enemy?
So, if you’re feeling stuck in a reactive, high-stress work mode, I want you to consider this: what if managing your time and energy effectively wasn’t about restriction, but about freedom? What if making small shifts in your approach could allow you to achieve more, feel calmer, and reclaim control?
In my next post, I’ll be sharing the essential shifts you need to make to break the cycle and start managing your time and energy more effectively. Because once you do, truly, everything changes.
Kate x
