The Surprising Key to Productivity

Hey there, I’m Ethan Rhodes—a workplace strategist and productivity coach, and today I want to share something that might just flip the way you think about productivity. Everyone’s always chasing time management hacks, better tools, or magic bullet techniques to get more done. But what if I told you, the real game-changer isn’t about squeezing every minute or multitasking harder? It’s about a surprisingly simple but powerful shift that can unlock your peak performance faster than any to-do list ever could.

Why Most “Productivity Hacks” Don’t Stick

We live in a relentless hustle culture where being busy is almost worn like a badge of honor. But “busy” isn’t the same as “productive.” Tools and hacks are great, but they don’t address the root cause of why people burnout, procrastinate, or scramble to meet deadlines.

The key issue? Energy management, not just time management. Let me be clear: managing your time is still important, but if your energy tank is running on empty, all the perfectly scheduled hours won’t help you do meaningful work.

The Surprising Key: Prioritizing Your Energy

Consider this scenario – you’ve blocked out a three-hour window to complete a critical project. You’re working hard, but by the second hour, you feel sluggish, distracted, or mentally drained. The hours are technically filled, but productive output? Meh.

“The best productivity doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing what matters most when you’re at your best.”

That’s because productivity isn’t just about time. It’s about capitalizing on your natural energy rhythms. When you align your work with those peak moments of focus and vitality, your output skyrockets—in quality and speed.

How to Tap Into This Energy-Based Productivity

Start by identifying your own energy highs and lows throughout the day. Here’s how you can take immediate action:

• Track Your Energy Patterns: For 3 days, jot down when you feel most alert and when you experience dips. Morning, afternoon, late evening—every person is different.
• Schedule Deep Work Wisely: Reserve your toughest tasks (those that need creativity, focus, or problem-solving) for your energy peaks.
• Respect Low-Energy Times: Use these slots for routine or administrative tasks, like email checking or organizing files.
• Prioritize Quality Breaks: Movement, hydration, quick mindfulness exercises, or simply stepping outside can recharge your brain faster than you think.

The Science Behind It

Neuroscience supports this—our brains function best when rested and mentally recharged. Productivity guru Tony Schwartz popularized the “energy management” approach, stressing how brief rest cycles lead to sustained high performance. The myth of powering through fatigue is exactly that: a myth.

When you honor your natural energy cycles instead of forcing constant output, you’ll not only get more done, you’ll feel better doing it. Imagine ditching the guilt and burnout and replacing it with a flow state that feels almost effortless.

My Personal Takeaway (And What Changed My Game)

I used to pride myself on working long hours, sacrificing sleep, and pushing past exhaustion to “get ahead.” Spoiler alert: it worked for a while, then it didn’t. Burnout hit harder than I expected.

Shifting to energy-based productivity transformed how I approach work and life. Now, I block off time for deep work during my peak focus hours and treat my body and mind like the high-performance assets they are. The result? More creative breakthroughs, less stress, and a sense of control that’s made all the difference.

Action Steps You Can Take Right Now

No need to overhaul your entire routine today—start small:

• Tomorrow, set a timer for 10 minutes at the start and end of your day to log your energy levels.
• Plan one high-focus task for your next peak energy time and defend that slot fiercely.
• Incorporate at least one meaningful break with movement or mindfulness between work blocks.
• Reflect weekly on how aligning your work with energy shifts impacts your results.

Wrapping It Up

Productivity isn’t about grinding harder or packing your schedule tighter. It’s about a smarter approach—where energy management and intentional scheduling work together. When you harness the power of your natural rhythms, productivity becomes less of a chore and more of a flow.

Keep this in your back pocket the next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed. Managing your energy is the surprisingly simple key that can unlock your best work ever.

Here’s to working smarter and living better!

Ethan Rhodes
Workplace Strategist & Productivity Coach

Ethan Rhodes