Energy management instead of time management.

The difference

Two one-hour meetings can cost very different amounts of energy: a quick check-in with colleagues and a difficult negotiation. In the calendar, both look the same size.

Energy management adds a second axis to time: effort. The question is then not only “Does this still fit into the day?” but also “Does this still fit with what the day already costs?”

Which kinds of exertion count

• Physical: errands, stairs, sport, housework, carrying things.
• Mental: concentration, decisions, screen work, frequent switching between tasks.
• Social: conversations, meetings, phone calls, disagreements.
• Environmental: noise, commuting, heat, crowded rooms.

Mental load is especially easy to underestimate. A day at the desk can feel heavier in the evening than a long walk.

Spreading the week

A few approaches that work well in everyday life:

• Spread demanding appointments across the week instead of bundling them on one day.
• Plan a transition after intense blocks before the next thing starts.
• Put breaks in the calendar at fixed times instead of leaving them to chance.
• Set a budget for each day – for example with energy points.

What suits you only becomes clear in hindsight. That is why it pays to look back after a few weeks.

What you can observe

Your own impression counts: how did you feel in the evening, how high was the mental load? On top of that come values your watch and phone record, such as sleep duration, resting heart rate and HRV.

Side by side they show patterns, for example: “On days with many appointments you logged a higher mental load.” mypacing always phrases such links as an observation, with the number of days they are based on – never as a cause.

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