Understanding Your Personal Energy Code
“Being time poor makes us more depressed, more stressed, and more emotionally exhausted.”
– Cassie Holmes, PhD
Happier Hour
Last week, we explored the actual time audit. Perhaps the real question is – did you do it?
If you didn’t but were interested… what’s holding you back?
(Can I let you in on a secret—having a coach is an incredible step in accountability.) But I won’t press… onward and upward!
Why Understanding Your Energy “Code” Matters
The LEARN Phase: Discovering Your Energy Code
As promised, this week we’re focusing on the “L” word… LEARN, because knowing where your time goes is only the first step. Now it’s time to understand what that means for you.
The Hidden Cost of Time Poverty
I often reference this powerful quote from Happier Hour author Cassie Holmes, PhD. She defines time poverty as “the feeling of not having enough time to do everything you need and want to do.”
We all know that feeling. But let’s break this down into two crucial components:
???? What you want and believe you need to do
???? Your confidence in being able to accomplish those things with what you have
The Ripple Effect of Time Poverty
When we’re running on empty and pressed for time, everything suffers. Here’s how:
????♀️ Physical Impact
- We exercise less
- We make poorer food choices
- We skip doctor appointments
- We sacrifice sleep
???? Emotional Impact
- We become less kind
- We grow more protective of our time
- We lose confidence in our abilities
- We shift into survival mode (“just trying to get by”)
???? Personal Growth Impact
- We neglect what makes us interesting
- We stop cultivating important relationships
- We sacrifice self-care and reflection time
- We lose touch with our creative pursuits
Your Energy Mapping Guide
Remember those happiness ratings from your time audit? Now it’s time to put them to work. This is where the LEARN phase becomes crucial.
Here’s your step-by-step guide:
1. Identify Your Energy Patterns ????
Pull out your time audit and categorize activities:
- High Energy (7-10): Your energy boosters
- Neutral (4-6): Your maintenance activities
- Low Energy (1-3): Your energy drains
???? Pro Tip: Look beyond the numbers. Notice patterns in:
- Time of day
- Context (alone vs. with others)
- Location (home, office, commute)
- Duration (quick tasks vs. longer commitments)
2. Create Your Energy Balance Sheet ⚖️: Notice Which Activities Energize vs. Drain
Energy Givers ⬆️
- Activities that energize you afterward
- Tasks where time flies (in a good way)
- Work that leaves you accomplished
- Moments of “flow”
Energy Drainers ⬇️
- Activities that deplete you
- Tasks that drag endlessly
- Work requiring excessive motivation
- Commitments leading to procrastination
3. Map Your Daily Energy Rhythm ????
Most people experience:
- Morning Peak: 2-4 hours after waking
- Afternoon Dip: Around 2-3 PM
- Evening Revival: Early evening boost
Your Energy Mapping Steps:
- Review your audit by time blocks
- Track energy levels throughout each day
- Look for consistent patterns
- Identify your peak performance windows
Real-World Application: how does this play out for you?
- Deep thinking → Before 11 AM
- Team meetings → Post-lunch
- Creative work → Evening
- Admin tasks → When energy naturally dips
Everyone is different, this is about finding what is happening vs what’s best for you.
What’s Next?
Now that you have your energy map, you’re probably wondering – what’s next? How do you actually use this information to create lasting change?
Next week, we’ll explore how to align these energy patterns with your core values and goals. Because knowing when you have energy is only half the equation – the real magic happens when:
- you ditch your energy drains (as much as you can: quit or offload! And feel free to ditch the guilt, too)
- AND maximize what brings you energy, joy, and the time spent on what matters most to you.
Ready to Take Control?
Book a free Time Freedom Strategy Session and I’ll help you:
- Analyze your energy patterns
- Identify your biggest time drains
- Create your personalized energy-aligned schedule
A few spots are still available this week – claim yours now. Click HERE to schedule.
P.S. Haven’t done your time audit yet? It’s not too late! Hop over here for the tracking template and you’ll be ready for next week’s deep dive into values and goal alignment.
