You may be familiar with the energy audit that measures the energy-efficiency of your home … but an energy audit also is a powerful tool to maximize your personal efficiency and productivity.
You know that feeling when you’ve been busy all day, but somehow, your most important tasks are still sitting on your to-do list? It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. And it happens way too often when you’re working from home.
But here’s the thing — your productivity isn’t just about time management. It’s about energy management.
Some tasks fuel you, making you feel unstoppable. Others drain you, leaving you scattered and unmotivated. If you’re not paying attention to where your energy is going, you could be spinning your wheels without real progress.
That’s why doing a quick energy audit can be a game-changer for how you plan your days and structure your work.
What Is an Energy Audit (And Why Should You Do One)?
An energy audit is like a budget — but instead of tracking money, you’re tracking where your energy goes throughout the day. Because let’s be honest: Not all hours are created equal.
You could spend two hours deep in creative work and feel on fire. Or you could spend those same two hours answering emails, switching between tasks, and putting out small fires, only to end the day feeling drained and unaccomplished.
The goal of an energy audit is simple:
- Identify what fuels you so you can do more of it.
- Identify what drains you so you can eliminate, delegate, or reframe it.
Energy Audit Step 1: Look at Your Last Few Days
Before you can optimize your energy, you need to see where it’s actually going. Take a few minutes to reflect on your last couple of workdays and ask yourself:
✅ Where did my time really go? (Not what I planned—what actually happened?)
✅ Which tasks or activities left me feeling energized and accomplished?
✅ Which ones drained me, distracted me, or made me feel stuck?
Examples of Energy-Boosting Activities:
- Creative work (writing, brainstorming, designing, etc.)
- Meaningful client conversations
- Completing a project that moves your business forward
- Exercise or movement breaks
- Spending time outside or away from screens
Examples of Energy-Draining Activities:
- Constant email or Slack interruptions
- Multitasking or context-switching
- Back-to-back Zoom calls with no breaks
- Tasks that could be automated or delegated
- Doom-scrolling social media instead of taking a real break
Write down anything that stands out. Patterns will start to emerge—because chances are, the same types of tasks are consistently fueling or draining your energy.
Energy Audit Step 2: Spot the Patterns
Now that you have some data, let’s analyze it. Look at your notes and see if you notice any trends.
Are there specific times of day when you feel most focused and productive?
Do certain tasks consistently leave you feeling exhausted?
Is there a recurring distraction that keeps pulling you away from deep work?
For example, maybe you always hit an energy slump around 2 PM — so scheduling intense creative work at that time isn’t ideal. Or maybe you realize that checking emails first thing in the morning derails your focus for the rest of the day.
The goal here is to work with your natural energy patterns, not against them.
Energy Audit Step 3: Make One Small Shift
Now that you know what’s fueling vs. draining you, it’s time to make some adjustments. You don’t have to overhaul your entire work routine overnight. Instead, choose one simple shift to test this week.
Here are a few ideas:
🔥 If email is your biggest energy drain… Try time-blocking it. Set a 30-minute window for checking and responding to emails instead of letting them disrupt your flow all day.
🔥 If back-to-back meetings zap your energy… Build in buffer time. Schedule 15-minute breaks between calls to reset and recharge.
🔥 If certain tasks leave you exhausted… Ask yourself: Can this be eliminated, automated, or delegated? (Not everything has to be done by you.)
🔥 If you feel scattered and unfocused… Start the day with a simple power habit, like three deep power breaths, affirmations, or setting a clear intention for the day.
Even one small change can make a huge difference in how productive and energized you feel.
Action Step: Do Your Own Energy Audit Today
Take five minutes today to reflect on what fuels vs. drains your energy. Then, choose one small change to implement this week:
Do more of what fuels you. Reduce what drains you.
You work too hard to let distractions and energy leaks hold you back. Protect your focus, own your time, and keep showing up like the tenacious entrepreneur you are. 💪✨
So … what’s one thing you’re cutting or adding to your routine this week? Drop a comment and let me know! 🚀