• By Daniel Robledo

⚡ Why Time Management Isn’t Enough—It’s Energy That Really Matters

read time: 03 minutes

Welcome back to The Checkpoint, a newsletter where, every Monday, we pause, reflect, and level up our lives.

☑️ Today's Summary:

• Understanding why traditional time management isn't always effective​
• Differentiating between restorative and draining activities​
• Designing your day to harness peak energy periods​

⏳ Time Isn’t the Problem—Energy Is

Hi Reader!

Lately, I've found myself struggling with procrastination a lot—not due to a lack of time (I have plenty right now)—but because I often lack the energy to tackle tasks. This realization led me to a crucial insight:​

We all share the same 24 hours each day, but sometimes we can't get ourselves to make the most out of them. And I think this is because time management alone isn't sufficient—energy management is the key.​

Research supports this notion. A study highlighted that organizations promoting longer working hours might actually see a decline in productivity, emphasizing that merely allocating more time doesn't equate to increased output.

🎮 Draining vs. Restorative Activities

When I think about resting, I think about spending two hours playing video games—yet now that I've tried other creative hobbies (like sculpting, as I told you last week), I've discovered that sometimes gaming makes me feel more drained than anything.

And it seems like I'm not alone in this. This research found that engaging in creative hobbies can enhance work performance and problem-solving abilities.

🛠 Making Your Activities More Energizing

So, based on these insights, here's how I've been infusing more energy into my daily activities:

• Infuse Playfulness: Approaching tasks with curiosity and a light-hearted attitude makes them more enjoyable.​
• Engage in Hands-On Hobbies: In our screen-dominated lives, activities like painting, crafting, or playing music provide a refreshing break.​
• Incorporate Social Elements: Sharing activities with others naturally boosts engagement and energy.​

🚀 The Motivation Myth & How to Trick Yourself Into Working

All of this comes to say that even if we have "free time", we need to be willing to make the most out of it. And I think motivation is often overrated. You don't need to feel motivated to begin; you just need to start.​

A personal trick I use:

👉 The 5-Minute Rule – I commit to working on a task for just five minutes. If I still feel unengaged after that, I allow myself to stop. However, 99% of the time, those initial five minutes are enough to keep me going.​

⏰ Structuring Your Day Around Energy

Instead of adhering strictly to schedules, consider this approach:

• Identify Your Peak Energy Times: Determine whether you're a morning person or a night owl, and reserve those periods for intensive tasks.​
• Allocate Time for Creativity: Especially for those in creative fields—ensure your work doesn't overshadow personal creative pursuits.​
• Allow Flexibility During Low-Energy Periods: Use these times for routine tasks, administrative work, or rest.​

​PubMed Central strongly advises people to improve their energy-management skills not only for better performance but also for mental well-being, so yeah... pretty important stuff.

🎯 Final Thought: Optimize for Energy, Not Just Time

So I guess the key takeaway from all of this is that your schedule might be impeccably organized, but without sufficient energy, it won't yield the desired results. Instead of trying to cram more into your day, design your life to replenish and harness your energy.​

✍️ Week's Quote

“ Once you do the hard stuff, it becomes not that hard. — Rigby

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👀 What I Would Tell My Younger Self

If I could have brunch with my younger self, before he started with game development, this is exactly the advice I'd give him. Learn more

Thank you for being here every week, Reader.Talk to you soon <3