You Can’t Create More Energy — So Stop Trying

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted.

We wrote about entropy some time back — how chaos increases and organizations need to reset. This time, we’re tackling another law of physics.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Only converted into different forms.

In other words: you have limited energy, so don’t waste it.

A lot of things are important. Some are even urgent. And we feel we need to start them all at once to address them.

You might have the money. You might have the theoretical resources. But energy? Focus? Those are limited. There’s only so much you can spread yourself — or your organization — across.

When you try to do too much at the same time, you end up using your limited energy just to keep all the balls in the air. Not to progress. Not to deliver. Just to keep them from dropping.

Constant re-visiting of the same discussions. Delays becoming the norm, not the exception. Energy burning while you spin your wheels without moving forward.

The same applies on the micro level — how work gets executed day to day.

We spread ourselves across five to ten different tasks daily. We can’t get all the “right” people in the room at the same time, so we meet with some, do part of it, follow up via email. We burn our precious energy on things that don’t bring us forward.

The Way Forward – our two cents

Manage your ambitions. Don’t lower them.

Focus your energy in bursts to deliver one thing at a time. Or at least, fewer things at a time.

This means choosing what to do now. And — the hard part — what not to do now.

But here’s the thing: this doesn’t necessarily mean getting results later.

Two focused three-month sprints can give you two delivery batches in six months. You get some benefits after three months, more after six. But trying to run everything at once? That easily results in delays, decreased quality, less value, and later delivery of it all.

We talk about task forces. Workshops. Sprints. But how often do we actually do them?

Actually bring the right people into the same room — preferably physical. Free up time to get the work done, not just keep tasks floating. We give time to discuss, but not the time — or the people in the room — to decide and execute.

Ask The Hard Question – And act on the answer!

It feels important. I feel important doing it. But is it actually important? – Say no, stop projects, cut your energy losses when that is the right but hard thing to do.

 Taking action –  As simple as it is difficult.

Plan — then do.

Plan your year, your month, your week, your day. As a company and as an individual.

Don’t overdo the planning. That’s a waste of energy too. But don’t skip it either.

As an organization

Be realistic.
Even if it all seems critical, urgent, and full of great use cases — if it’s too much, something will have to wait. This becomes even more important the more critical the work is. Because by overburning your available energy, you’ll get less, later, and with worse quality.

Organize for focus.
Sprints. Workshops. Structure. Not everyone needs to be in everything. Set the direction to enable delegation and independence for smaller groups and individuals.

Build the right culture.
Be aware of the bright and shiny. Just because everyone else is doing it, or it’s the newest thing, doesn’t mean it’s the right use of your energy right now. Even if we spent a lot of energy on it so far, spending more of it because prestige or not wanting to let go is waste  – not persistence.

As an Individual

Plan your week and day.
Block out work time. Plan to complete, close out and get out of the way. It is ok not to be available 24-7.

Use what works to create focus
Use methods like pomodoro or whatever system that actually helps you focus — use it. It works because it works. Turn off notifications. Protect your energy.

Build in step-back time.
Reflect. Ask yourself: is this actually moving things forward, or am I just busy?

Relate to others – but don’t let others dictate your day
Both ways. What’s important for them — and for you, and for the company? And what, when you really think about it, is actually… not? Own your attention and energy.

The Bottom Line

Energy is finite.

You can’t create more of it. You can only choose how to spend it.

Stop trying to do everything at once.
Stop burning energy just to stay in motion.
Stop mistaking activity for progress.

Focus. Deliver. Move on to the next thing.

And remember: sometimes the most important decision is deciding what not to do right now.

Your energy depends on it.