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Caroline Jones

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August 29, 2025

Managing Your Energy, Not Just Your Time: A Better Way to Avoid Burnout

We’ve all heard the phrase “You have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyoncé.”

Cute idea, but let’s be honest, most of us aren’t working with a glam team, a nanny, and a personal chef.

More importantly: time isn’t the only thing that matters.

Because it’s not just about how much time you have, It’s about how you feel while you’re living it.

Burnout Doesn’t Happen All at Once

It creeps in slowly.

You're “just tired.”

You start skipping things that used to make you feel good, your workouts, meal prep, even catching up with friends.

You’re snappy, foggy, overwhelmed… and then you crash.

And in a world that celebrates hustle, it’s easy to think the answer is “just get more organised.”

But here's a better approach:

Start Thinking in Terms of Energy, Not Just Time

Instead of asking, “Do I have time for this?”

Try asking, “Do I have the energy for this?”

Because…

  • A 20-minute walk with a podcast might recharge you more than an hour of screen scrolling.
  • Saying no to an event you’re dreading might leave you with the energy to enjoy your weekend.
  • A 30-minute workout might give you more energy than a 90-minute nap.

How to Manage Your Energy Like It Matters

Know What Fills Your Cup

Make a list. Literally.

What makes you feel calm, grounded, strong, happy?

Then find small ways to sprinkle those things into your week.

Maybe it’s:

  • A coffee in the sun before anyone else is awake
  • Lifting heavy stuff at the gym
  • Walking without your phone
  • Laughing with people who “get” you

Notice What Drains You

Not everything that drains you can be avoided, but you can plan for recovery after.

  • Big work meeting? Book your gym session after.
  • Kids’ birthday party chaos? Schedule a quiet morning the next day.
  • Lots of social events? Block out one night with nothing.

Check In Before You Say Yes

Before committing, ask yourself:

Will this energise me or deplete me?

Is future me going to thank me for this… or dread it?

Give yourself permission to protect your energy the same way you’d protect your time.

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup

You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. You’re probably just tired and doing too much for too many people with too little left for yourself.

Managing your energy doesn’t mean doing less, it means doing what matters better.

And that’s where strength, consistency, and joy really live.

If you want help finding your spark again? Come see us at Ultra, where training fills your cup, not empties it.

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