In this video, leadership expert Dennis McIntee explains why energy management matters more to your productivity and wellbeing than time management. In the high-pressure world of health care, learning how to preserve and replenish your energy is what allows you to be present with patients, make better decisions, and avoid burnout.
A common challenge I see among health care workers is this: It doesn’t take a long time to get things done, but it takes a long time to get ready to get things done.
I’m not saying you should ditch your color-coded schedules and organized to-do lists. But the truth is that the energy you bring to your work determines how effective you are. Want to get more done in less time? Start managing your energy instead of your time.
Time is finite. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. You can’t slow it down, pause it, or extend it. Energy, on the other hand, is renewable.
Think about a task that requires focus. You know that trying to complete it when you’re exhausted will take at least twice as long, and the quality will probably suffer. But if you tackle that task when you’re energized, it goes much faster.
Even tasks that seem simple—like returning emails or documenting patient notes—can take longer when your energy is low. You might make small mistakes, reread things multiple times, or lose focus entirely. Energy amplifies the effectiveness of the time you already have.
That’s why focusing solely on time management doesn’t work. The time it takes to complete a task isn’t actually dependent on the time itself. It’s dependent on your energy.
Energy management is about understanding your physical, mental, and emotional reserves so you can use them strategically. When you manage energy well, time management naturally falls into place.
To manage energy effectively, start by observing yourself:
Track your energy for a few days. You may notice that your afternoons always drag, or that creative work comes easiest first thing in the morning. That self-awareness is priceless.
For better or worse, you’re like an electric car. You can’t drive on an empty battery. You need to recharge regularly and plan your day according to the energy you have. Coffee alone won’t keep you going. (Sorry!)
So what can you do when your energy reserves run low?
Energy replenishment is the act of finding things that rejuvenate you so you can perform at your best. Here’s what it might look like for you:
At the same time, be mindful of the things that drain your energy, like skipping breaks, endless multitasking, or overextending yourself.
These small practices help you feel alert and focused so you can make the most of the time you have.
Now that you know your patterns and how to recharge yourself, here’s how to optimize your energy:
Energy management doesn’t have to be complicated. This is about working smarter, not harder. Taking steps like these prevents energy depletion before it starts, which is far more effective than scrambling to manage time later.
Your work constantly demands energy. The stakes are high, decisions can be life-altering, and emotions are everywhere. When your energy is depleted, even routine situations feel more stressful.
Think of energy like your phone battery. You wouldn’t start the day at 10% and expect to make it through a full schedule of calls and meetings. Instead, you charge it each day, monitor its use, and plug it back in before it hits zero.
Energy management is essential for your wellbeing. It helps you stay focused under pressure, reduce burnout, and make better decisions for your patients and your team.
I’ve worked with countless physicians who power through long shifts without taking breaks. By day’s end, even small decisions feel overwhelming. They’re harder on themselves, easily distracted, and often show up as a version of themselves they don’t recognize. Breaking these habits isn’t easy. But when you do, you can start living with more energy, clarity, and joy.
Start small with one of the following action steps:
Time is fixed, but energy is flexible. You can’t stop or replace time, but you can control the energy you bring to each hour.
By managing your energy, you naturally improve time management, prevent burnout, and protect the things that matter most in life and work.
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