There’s an idea I totally agree with that rather than managing our time we should manage our energy. At certain times of the day we can think better. Other times we are less focused and it is a better time to knock out various housekeeping duties where we are moving physically but thinking more superficially.
For me, creative work is best done when I first wake up and my mind is fresh and I’m in a quiet space. The afternoons are best for phone calls, meetings, and talking to people.
Then there are differences between days. If I didn’t get enough sleep or I am overworked, I don’t try to force creative projects in. I’ll do the simple/easy stuff that day. If I’m in the zone, I’ll take advantage of it and do more of my major creative project that day.
Of course, I have this luxury because I am a business owner and I don’t have a job on my org chart, so I can do what I want. Nobody depends on me to be in the office or to make decisions, and I’m not holding anyone up by changing my schedule based on how my brain is firing that day.
This is how a business owner should have his relationship with his/her business set up. Of course, there are cycles in a business. For example, a start-up business fighting for survival may see the owner working crazy hours without the option to alter what he/she does and when.
Leadership is a different type of job than any other. This business rises and falls on it. Taking the right time to see things right, and being productive in setting things right is very important.
I love this.