Growing up, I was always told to start with the hardest task first. While there are some benefits to doing that, GTD taught me to funnel my workflow by energy level instead. This has proved especially helpful adjusting to all of the stresses and changes we’ve seen at work and at home during the pandemic.

Every task is labeled either low energy, normal energy, or high energy. During periods of high energy, such as in the morning or mid afternoon, I try to keep my calendar open and focus on these high energy tasks. I try to save the low energy tasks for when I am exhausted, or don’t want to do anything… thus keeping me productive even when I am drained. If I am having a particularly rough day, then I may only focus on low energy tasks. I still feel accomplished, and I don’t force myself to complete tasks inefficiently due to mistakes I may make if I attempted a higher energy task.

Somen days I can’t balance my work with energy levels, and just need to get a project or a series of tasks done regardless. I’ll bite the bullet, and re-record or redo a task as needed until I get it right. That is the benefit of completing tasks at the right energy level. You are at your most efficient when you are in the right context and in the right mindset to complete the task.

My challenge is finding ways to re-energize when I need to complete more high energy tasks. How do you balance your tasks with your available energy?