Leading with Energy: How to Stop Managing Time and Start Managing Yourself

Every leader I know has wrestled with the same challenge: there never seems to be enough time. We look at our calendars, packed with meetings and commitments, and wonder how we’ll get everything done. Time management gurus tell us to prioritize, delegate, or color-code our schedules.

But here’s the catch: time management isn’t the real problem.

Every leader on the planet gets the same 24 hours. The leaders who thrive aren’t the ones who manage time better—they’re the ones who manage themselves better. They’ve learned how to protect and sustain their energy, focus, and mental fitness.

Let’s be honest: you can be the best time manager in the world and still feel burned out, distracted, or exhausted. What makes the difference is how you show up in those hours you’ve scheduled.

Here are three practical ways to shift from managing your time to managing yourself:

1. Protect Your Prime Hours

You don’t have to be an early bird or a night owl—you just need to know when you do your best thinking. Some leaders think most clearly in the morning, others in the late afternoon. Pay attention to the hours when you naturally have the most focus and creativity.

Then, guard that time fiercely. Don’t waste your best energy on email or low-priority tasks. Use it for the work that really matters—vision casting, strategic planning, or that difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding.

👉 Reflection question: What’s one task you could move into your “prime hours” this week to get the most out of your energy?

2. Practice Micro-Rest

We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and constant motion. But here’s the truth: a drained leader is a distracted leader. Short breaks aren’t wasted time—they’re fuel for better leadership.

Micro-rest could be as simple as:

• A five-minute walk between meetings.

• A quick breathing exercise before a presentation.

• Pausing to stretch instead of scrolling your phone.

Leaders who schedule small rhythms of rest often outperform those who push non-stop. Why? Because they’re sharper, more present, and less reactive when challenges arise.

👉 Reflection question: Where could you add one “micro-rest” into your day this week?

3. Check Your Inputs

Your energy isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about what you take in. Endless notifications, constant news cycles, or negative conversations can drain your focus before the day even begins.

Consider these small shifts:

• Turn off non-essential notifications for a week.

• Limit “doom scrolling” by setting a timer.

• Choose to begin your day with Scripture, prayer, or a positive podcast instead of email.

Remember: garbage in, garbage out. Leaders who protect their inputs protect their energy—and that shows up in how they lead their people.

👉 Reflection question: What’s one energy-draining input you could reduce or eliminate this week?

Final Thought

Managing time is about squeezing more in. Managing yourself is about showing up at your best. And the leaders who manage their energy well? They not only last longer—they lead stronger.