Rather, time management and energy management should go hand in hand: You should know how to prioritize and schedule your work, and you should *also* know how to keep yourself going in order to do that work at your best performance level.

Thanks so much for sharing the post!

Thanks! Definitely posting this article to Facebook to share with the OfficeTime Tribe!

They just don’t want to give people the liberty to rest. They want people to keep working for them, not knowing that the productivity and overall office environment will be put to risks. But hey, they’re the “bosses”, we’re machines only.

I too am a fan of the big lunch break as opposed to several smaller ones, (makes me feel more thoroughly relaxed), but I do try to remember to make an effort to stretch, breath, and rebalance for a few second between projects throughout the day.

You’re also ahead of your time in the “just ask” advice–stay tuned for one of my upcoming Brazen posts for just that topic!

I live a healthier, happier and more successful life, including professional growth and accomplishments, when I focus my energy where it matters. I must practice regular self-care, including taking breaks during the day, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, etc. It’s also essential I spend my energy on what truly matters to me.

Learning to differentiate between what is important (to me) and what isn’t important is a challenge. Often situations and tasks that seem urgent and important actually aren’t. In these situations I ask myself, “how important is it?” Usually if it’s something that won’t matter, or I won’t remember, in a week, month, or year, it’s probably not really that important.

I also had to learn to set boundaries, including saying no when appropriate. I have told previous managers that I can’t work late (when I really couldn’t, other times I worked late to get the job done), or that I need a break. I don’t ask to take my lunch break- I take it. Setting appropriate boundaries has never hurt my career.

If I need additional resources to help me do my job in a reasonable amount of time, I ask for those resources. It’s easy to get caught in a trap of thinking I must figure something out alone, but often I find other people appreciate being asked for their expertise or that a deadline is a little more flexible that I originally thought. Sometimes I need to invest in better office supplies or new equipment to manage my work more effectively. When I need something to do my job, I ask for it!

Managing my efforts, instead of my time, allows me to work better, work happier, and sleep easier!

Great post! Thanks for the reminder to focus on what’s important and manage my energy, not my time.

As of late, I’ve been taking a lunch around 1ish PM and going to the kitchen to eat it. After than 25 mins is up, I definitely feel a new wave of energy, Additionally, that one break is better than taking a bunch of small breaks.

The change of scenery, the ability to sit at a table and eat lunch has really made all of the difference for me.