Hey there, productivity seekers. I'm Hazel, and welcome to Hack Your Workflow.

Today, I want to talk directly to you about something I know you're wrestling with right now. In this moment of early summer 2025, when the world feels both expansive and overwhelming, you're searching for a way to cut through the noise and actually get things done.

I see you. Juggling multiple projects, drowning in notifications, feeling like your day is controlling you instead of the other way around.

Let me introduce you to what I call the "Energy Wave Technique" - a productivity approach that's less about rigid scheduling and more about riding your natural mental currents.

Here's how it works. Instead of forcing yourself through tasks when you're feeling sluggish, you'll map your daily energy landscape. Most people have three distinct energy zones: peak performance, moderate momentum, and low-energy periods.

Your peak performance window might be early morning - those first two hours after waking when your brain is crisp and creative. This is when you tackle your most complex, strategic work. Think big project planning, critical thinking tasks, writing that requires deep concentration.

Your moderate momentum zone typically hits mid-morning to early afternoon. Perfect for collaborative work, meetings, responding to emails, and handling administrative tasks that require steady but not intense focus.

Then there's your low-energy period - usually mid-afternoon when that classic energy dip happens. This is not the time for complex work. Instead, use this zone for light tasks: organizing files, minor administrative work, or quick learning modules.

Three additional quick hacks to supercharge this approach:

First, track your actual energy patterns for a week. Use a simple journal or app to note when you feel most and least energetic.

Second, create task categories that match these energy zones. Color code them if you're visual.

Third, build in deliberate 10-minute reset breaks between these zones. A short walk, some stretching, or mindful breathing can dramatically reset your mental clarity.

The magic happens when you stop fighting your natural rhythms and start working with them. You're not just managing time - you're managing your energy.

As we close today, I want you to do one simple thing: Tonight, before bed, sketch out tomorrow's tasks and roughly match them to your expected energy zones. Just observe. No pressure to perfectly execute.

Small shifts create massive momentum.

You've got this. I'll see you in the next episode of Hack Your Workflow.