It is not unusual to hear people talking about “time management.” Most of us try to jam far too much into the hours available to us, thinking that if we could more effectively manage every single second of our day, we could finally catch up and relax.

Late breaking news flash: It’s not going to happen.

It’s time to stop focusing on time management and instead focus on “energy management.” Time doesn’t get anything done. Energy (combined with intention) is what “makes the world go ‘round.” Of course it is important to use your time effectively, but the amount of time in a day is fixed. Although I’ve often wished I could add a few more hours to the day, wishing clearly doesn’t make it so. Energy on the other hand, is a renewable resource. You can get more of it and just like money, if you spend it judiciously it will last longer and go a lot farther.

There are different kinds of energy – physical energy, emotional energy, creative energy, and spiritual energy. Each of them has their own dynamic. The choices we make during the course of a day either renew and increase them, or deplete them. And each of them has a direct impact on our performance, our ability to accomplish things, and the quality of our lives.

Each of these energies has something in common: The breath. Although each of these distinct energies are affected by a number of other variables – diet, sleep, relationships, etc – it is the breath that is the common denominator to each of them, and it is the breath that will provide you with the awareness and insight to maximize your energy, manage it effectively, and perform at your best.

We’ll be delving deeper into this important topic in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and be sure to share your thoughts and stories!