The Energy Problem
Since coming back from my recent trip to Europe, I noticed that my energy has been a little “off”. I’ve been getting 7-8 hours of sleep, eating reasonably well and even got myself back to the gym.
I’m doing all of the right things, so what’s the problem!?
The truth is, energy isn’t just about sleep…you can be “rested” and still be running on empty if energy inputs and outputs are out of balance.
The Four Types of Energy
Energy is a resource to be managed. And to manage it, we need to acknowledge where we get energy and where we give energy. It’s not just physical, there are four types of energy you need to manage:
Physical: Sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise
Mental: Focus, clarity, avoiding overload
Emotional: Stress management, relationships, mindset
Environmental: The spaces, noise, and digital clutter around you.
If one of these is out of sync, it drags the rest down. That imbalance is often the real reason you feel constantly tired or drained.
Audit Your Energy
Instead of asking “Why am I tired?” I ask “Where is my energy leaking?”.
I don’t react with quick fixes (even though it’s tempting) but stop and reflect.
Try this quick self-check:
Am I eating foods that fuel me, or spike and crash my energy?
Do I have constant background stress I haven’t addressed?
Is my environment cluttered or distracting?
Am I mentally overloaded with too many commitments?
Chances are, your low energy isn’t from lack of sleep, it’s from an energy imbalance.
Build an Energy Management System
The fix isn’t another coffee or energy drink. It’s building a simple system to protect and restore energy daily.
After my reflection I came up with the following simple steps:
Physical reset: 50 minutes of training + hydration
Mental reset: 15 minutes (daily) of meditation (I use the Headspace app, but you can even use Youtube or just quiet time)
Emotional reset: Walk without my phone or earbuds (although I do like to put my noise-cancelling on to dim the noises - personal choice!)
Environmental reset: Ensure my workspace is tidy at the end of each day.
This is the approach I'm taking but you should think about what works for you and dial it up or down depending on what you need.
For example I’m a pretty good sleeper and so it doesn’t need my focus. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it might be best to focus on that in your initial physical reset.
These small actions compound and over time, they turn “always tired” into consistent, sustainable energy. I can honestly vouch that since doing this, it’s helped me feel less tired and more focussed which ultimately leads to an increase in my productivity.
Final Thought
Energy isn’t about trying harder, it’s about managing smarter.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you don’t need another hack or shortcut. What you need is a structure that balances the inputs and outputs of your life.
Start small. Audit where you’re leaking energy and put systems in place to protect it.
Do this and you’ll finally stop feeling drained, even when you’re “well rested.”
“The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” - Stephen Covey
Til next time, Joseph @ 1% Growth
