How To Stay Productive
On Low Energy Days...& Beyond!
How To Stay Productive On Low Energy Days…& Beyond!
The other day, I was talking with one of my employees about productivity. I run an in-house marketing agency for a large corporation in the Midwest, and like most of us, my team is juggling a lot.
This employee was frustrated. They didn’t have their usual spark. They felt drained, behind, and like nothing was getting done.
I told them something simple: some days, you just can’t go full throttle.
We’re human - we get tired, we catch colds, we carry yesterday’s stress into today. And that’s okay. We aren’t machines. (But if you’ve cracked the code on how to avoid all that, please, I’m all ears!)
Instead of pushing through, I suggested shifting focus toward lighter activities -organizing digital files, clearing a desk, gathering research. Even on low-energy days, you can still move forward. In fact, those “small” tasks are often the ones we overlook, and slower days give us the perfect chance to knock them out.
That conversation stuck with me. Productivity doesn’t look the same every day. Your energy isn’t a barrier - it’s a compass. And while responsibilities don’t disappear just because you’re tired (if you’re on the clock, you’re still expected to deliver), the rest of your day can flex around how you’re feeling.
The Three Lists
Here’s a strategy I love: keeping three simple lists. They’re my go-to reference anytime my energy dips or surges, because they remind me where to channel what I’ve got.
Try this: grab a notebook, your phone, or even a sticky note. Divide the page into three columns:
Have-To | High-Energy | Low-Energy
Then, under each, jot down tasks that match. This framework makes sure:
Have-To keeps you meeting expectations.
High-Energy helps you maximize flow.
Low-Energy keeps you from stalling when you’re not at 100%.
Here are some examples from my own lists:
1. Have-To Tasks – the non-negotiables
These are essentials. Unless it’s a true emergency, they get done:
Paying bills or sending invoices
Urgent emails or client messages
Scheduling or confirming appointments
Meals, chores, or other self-care basics
Checking in with your team or family
Meeting hard deadlines
2. High-Energy Tasks – when you’re in the zone
When focus and momentum are high, lean into it:
Tackling big projects
Reports, presentations, or long-form writing
Brainstorming or strategy mapping
Batch-creating and scheduling content
High-intensity workouts
Leading meetings or giving presentations
3. Low-Energy Tasks – the gentle wins
Even on tired days, you can keep momentum:
Reviewing your calendar or planning ahead
Organizing files or emails
Listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or training
Light movement - stretching, walking
Journaling or reflecting
Quick replies to easy emails
Simple meal prep with music on
Breathing exercises or meditation
A Shift in Perspective
I’ve learned to embrace the high tide and the low tide. Some seasons are chaotic; some are quiet. For a long time, I felt guilty for not pushing harder during the lulls. Now I see the value - energy ebbs and flows on purpose. That’s how we stay balanced.
If your low-energy days start stacking up, check in with yourself: do you need more rest? A break? Are you inching toward burnout? For all of you high-performers out there - slower days are normal - and necessary. Give yourself permission to do what you can, then recharge.
Work with your energy. High-energy? Dive in. Ride the wave. Low-energy? Slow it down. Protect your mind. Protect your work. Protect yourself. Tomorrow, you’ll come back stronger.
So try it: keep your three lists handy. Productivity isn’t always about pedal to the metal. Sometimes it’s about steady, intentional progress. Adjust with your energy. Honor how you feel. And you’ll be surprised how much more you can accomplish.
You’ve got this.
Your Next Move
For Life & Personal Growth
What’s one “Have-To” task that, no matter what, you can’t skip each day?
How can you better honor your body’s signals instead of pushing past them?
When you’re low on energy, what activities refill your tank instead of draining it?
What activities could help you embrace slower days without guilt?
How would your personal life feel different if you stopped expecting yourself to always be “on”?
For Work & Business
Which tasks absolutely require your high-energy focus - and which don’t?
How could your team adopt the three-list system to manage workloads more realistically?
Where are you wasting energy by working against your natural flow?
How could you break down a major project into smaller, “bite-sized” wins?
What would happen if your workplace normalized ebb and flow instead of glorifying burnout?
Let’s discuss together on the chat!
-J
