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2 years ago I was diagnosed with 4 auto-immune disorders. The pain sucked and half my face didn't work. I would need to lie down after a walk to the kitchen.
During this time I learned how to work differently. Here’s a thread about how energy mgmt > time mgmt.
During this time I learned how to work differently. Here’s a thread about how energy mgmt > time mgmt.
At the time I was CEO of Startmate, and trying hard to launch the Startmate Fellowship and the Climate Cohort.
But I was messed up. No productivity hack or time management technique in the world could help me. I had to learn some new tools.
But I was messed up. No productivity hack or time management technique in the world could help me. I had to learn some new tools.
These tools fundamentally changed how I work. Recently I’ve found they’re applicable to founders and other mental athletes.
Building a startup is like trying to sprint a marathon. Energy mgmt can be the difference between success and burn out.
Building a startup is like trying to sprint a marathon. Energy mgmt can be the difference between success and burn out.
So here's what I learned, in 5 steps. Warning, some of this gets pretty weird.
1. Divide your brain into two parts
We don't have a unified “brain” we have a bunch of different functions that evolved in layers - from the brainstem and limbic system (home of the fight/flight response) to the cerebral cortex (executive function, computation, language).
We don't have a unified “brain” we have a bunch of different functions that evolved in layers - from the brainstem and limbic system (home of the fight/flight response) to the cerebral cortex (executive function, computation, language).
So let’s take the layers we’d find in a mammal and call this the "animal self". Now take the planning, talking and thinking brain and call it the "executive self."
Now find a cute animal pic and think about that when you hear “animal” from now on.
Told you it would get weird.
Now find a cute animal pic and think about that when you hear “animal” from now on.
Told you it would get weird.
2. Figure out if you’re burning or building energy
Your animal and exec often want different things.
When they're at odds you’re burning energy. When they’re working together, you’re building energy, even when you’re going hard.
Your animal and exec often want different things.
When they're at odds you’re burning energy. When they’re working together, you’re building energy, even when you’re going hard.
Think of an upcoming task, event or project. Now see this pic and give both your animal and exec a vote about it.
Now take those answers and work out where you stand. Are you in the “red” or “green”? (see pic)
Working in the green feels like running downhill. More action = more energy. Being in the red feels like driving with the brakes on.
Working in the green feels like running downhill. More action = more energy. Being in the red feels like driving with the brakes on.
3. Understand what puts you in the red
Does any of this sound familiar? (see pic)
Does any of this sound familiar? (see pic)
Why is your animal being a jerk?
Imagine an animal trainer that ignores their animal until right before an event. Then they take a cattle prod and zap it with 10k volts of adrenaline. Terrible right?
That’s what we procrastinators are doing to our animal brains all the time.
Imagine an animal trainer that ignores their animal until right before an event. Then they take a cattle prod and zap it with 10k volts of adrenaline. Terrible right?
That’s what we procrastinators are doing to our animal brains all the time.
Maybe you’re not a procrastinator. Maybe you’re zapping your animal with mini-jolts 24/7 to keep working.
Either way you’re using your sympathetic nervous system to juice you up with adrenaline to keep that animal in line. That burns energy.
Either way you’re using your sympathetic nervous system to juice you up with adrenaline to keep that animal in line. That burns energy.
If this continues it leads to an animal that’s numb or rebellious or both. Here are the symptoms of both:
4. Pivot into the green
So what’s the alternative? Learn to be a better trainer.
The best trainers know how to listen to their animals. They can listen then adapt or incentivise.
So what’s the alternative? Learn to be a better trainer.
The best trainers know how to listen to their animals. They can listen then adapt or incentivise.
Listening just means doing step 2. If you’re in the green, great - keep going. If you’re in the red, work out whether you want to adapt or incentivise.
Adapting means admitting “hey maybe the animal is right.” Maybe there’s danger ahead or your priorities have gotten messed up.
Now it’s time to have some uncomfortable conversations, adapt your plans, reprioritise, change direction and get the animal on board.
Now it’s time to have some uncomfortable conversations, adapt your plans, reprioritise, change direction and get the animal on board.
But what if you know you’re on the right track but your animal is still freaking out? It’s time to incentivise.
Schedule something that puts the animal into a happy, relaxed state. This can be tiny - e.g. a 5min chat with a friend. The important thing is to listen and act!
Schedule something that puts the animal into a happy, relaxed state. This can be tiny - e.g. a 5min chat with a friend. The important thing is to listen and act!
5. Keep it up when you screw it up
I’ve been a terrible trainer for most of my life. My bad habits still often send me spiralling into the red.
But that’s ok - the aim isn’t to live in the green. It’s to develop a sense for where you are and to be able to pivot when needed.
I’ve been a terrible trainer for most of my life. My bad habits still often send me spiralling into the red.
But that’s ok - the aim isn’t to live in the green. It’s to develop a sense for where you are and to be able to pivot when needed.
This process helped me recover. It also triggered a fundamental change in how I work. I tackle “scary” problems earlier with less emotional ramp up. I spend more time on things I’m curious about. I feel more centered and that has improved my ability to listen and connect.
If you've read this far I'd love to know any of this resonates! Please share your experience. What tends to nudge you into the red? How do you adapt or incentivise when you need to?
If you'd like to read more in a friendlier format - here's the article version: https://www.squarepegcap.com/blog/why-energy-management-is-greater-than-time-management
