How to Create a Business Routine That Supports Your Energy
Have you ever built a “perfect” routine — color-coded, time-blocked, all organized — only to abandon it three days later?
Yeah. Me too.
It always starts with good intentions: This time I’ll stay consistent!
Then life shows up with its messy hair and spilled coffee and says, “Oh really?”
Over the years of working for myself, though, I’ve realized something important:
A routine that doesn’t support your energy will never support your business.
Let’s talk about what that means — and how you can build routines that feel nourishing, not draining.
First Things First: What’s a “Routine,” Really?
When I say “routine,” I can feel some of your shoulders tense up like I just said the word budget.
(Or worse, like I’m coming at you with a color-coded planner and a whistle.)
Take a breath. I’m not talking about a rigid checklist or a “5 a.m. club” kind of thing.
Unless you like waking up at 5 a.m., in which case — teach me your ways. ☕️
A routine is simply a rhythm — some repeated actions that help your days flow.
It can be tech-based, handwritten, intuitive, or a mix of things that make sense to you.
Think of it as the container that holds your energy so it doesn’t leak everywhere.
Some examples:
How you start your morning before checking email.
How you start and wrap up a client session.
The flow you use for creating and publishing content.
The way you close out your day (yes, logging off counts — and no, scrolling isn’t a cooldown).
A good routine helps you move through your day instead of getting lost in it.
Why Energy Comes First
Here’s where most of us get it backward: we build routines to manage time, not energy.
But your energy is what actually fuels your work. Time is just the container — energy is the spark.
When you try to stick to a schedule that ignores your natural rhythms, you end up feeling like you’re swimming upstream with a laptop under one arm.
Some people thrive early. Some are night owls. Some (like me) hit their groove around 10 a.m. — laying around in bed, loving on my puppy babies.
Building a business routine that supports your energy means:
paying attention to when you feel most creative, focused, or social,
giving yourself permission to rest when your tank runs low, and
creating structure that helps you sustain your flow, not stifle it.
Step 1: Notice Your Natural Rhythm
For the next few days, play detective.
Notice when you feel alert, calm, creative, or tired.
Ask yourself:
When does work feel easy and natural?
When do I hit a wall?
When am I most social vs. most reflective?
You don’t need an app — unless you want one. Even a sticky note or a phone memo works.
Patterns always appear, and once they do, you can align your work with your actual energy instead of forcing yourself into someone else’s timeline.
Step 2: Build Around Energy Peaks & Valleys
When you know your energy patterns, build your core work around them.
Quick examples:
Morning energy?
Do your deep-focus work early and save emails for later.
Afternoon slump?
Perfect time for admin, light creative work, or anything you can pair with good music or a comfort-show rerun. Make it fun — Bob’s Burgers totally counts as productivity ambience.
Night owl vibes?
Batch those creative ideas in the evening, then schedule them to publish later while you sleep like a genius.
The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s routine — it’s to build one that feels like you.
Step 3: Make It Flexible on Purpose
The best routines bend; they don’t break.
Give yourself buffer space between tasks, margin for life, and permission to shift things when needed.
Rigid systems create rebellion. Flexible ones create flow.
I had to learn that the hard way. For a while, I rebelled against any structure (that teenager in my brain yelling, “You’re not the boss of me!”). Then, once I saw how much structure actually helped, I swung hard the other direction.
I scheduled everything. I treated my calendar like scripture.
The problem? The rest of the world hadn’t joined my new calendar religion.
They kept living their unscheduled little lives, and before long, my holy blocks of time collided with reality.
So I went back and built in space.
Now I use Asana to hold all my projects and daily tasks so I can choose what fits my mood or energy that day.
When I wake up, I ask, “What do I feel like working on?”
Sure, some things have deadlines — I put my big-girl pants on for those — but because I’ve banked energy by living and working with my rhythm, even those tasks feel easier.
A supportive routine has room for both structure and intuition.
Think of it like a dance — you lead, but you still feel the rhythm.
Tech Tip:
Use Your Calendar as an Energy Map
Instead of blocking every hour of your day, color-code your calendar by energy type.
For example:
🔵 Blue = Deep Focus
🟢 Green = Creative Flow
🟡 Yellow = Connection (calls, DMs, meetings)
🔴 Red = Rest or Recharge
Then, when you glance at your week, you’ll instantly see if it’s balanced.
If you’re missing a few red zones — spoiler — you’re overdue for some glorious “do-nothing” time.
Step 4: Create Micro-Rituals That Ground You
Not everything in your routine has to be productive. Some parts should simply anchor your energy.
Micro-rituals are those tiny cues that whisper to your brain, “We’re switching gears.”
Examples:
Lighting a candle before client work.
Doing a quick energy sweep or breathwork between calls.
Writing down one win (big or small) before shutting down for the day.
Small actions. Big ripple effect.
Step 5: Review and Adjust Regularly
Your energy isn’t static, so your routine shouldn’t be either.
Every few weeks, check in:
Is this still working for me?
Am I forcing something that doesn’t feel right anymore?
What could make this easier (or more fun)?
One thing I tweak often is where I keep my daily to-dos.
My brain gets bored fast — after a while, it just stops seeing them. So I switch between tools every month or two. It keeps me paying attention (and mildly entertained).
When I noticed that pattern, I didn’t beat myself up — I just accepted it and started experimenting to build around it.
Work with your brain, not against it. Trust me, you won’t win that battle. 😂
A routine that supports your energy today might need tweaks next season — and that’s totally normal. Growth requires recalibration.
Empowered Next Step:
Design Your Energy Day
Pick one day this week and plan it around your energy instead of your calendar.
Ask yourself:
When do I feel most focused?
When do I need rest or movement?
What can I move, drop, or delegate to make this day feel lighter?
Try it once, then notice how you feel at the end.
If you feel peaceful and productive, you’re on the right track.
The Spiritual Side of Routine
There’s a reason you sometimes feel “off” even when you’re technically doing everything right.
That’s your energy saying, “Hey, I’d like a seat at the table.”
When your business routine honors your energy, it becomes a practice in self-trust.
It says: I can build success without burning out. I can be consistent without losing myself.
That’s not laziness — that’s alignment. (And your nervous system will thank you for it.)
The Heart of It All
A business routine that supports your energy isn’t about perfect discipline.
It’s about partnership — between you, your work, and your well-being.
When your routine flows with your natural rhythm, you create space for creativity, rest, and growth to coexist.
And that’s the sweet spot where sustainable success lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Energy-Based Routines
Q: What if my energy changes every day?
A: That’s normal! Use flexible anchors — morning rituals, work themes, or time blocks — but give yourself permission to shift inside them.
Q: Do I have to track my energy forever?
A: Nope. You only need to track long enough to see patterns. Once you know your rhythm, you’ll feel it naturally and be able to adjust accordingly.
Q: How do I stay consistent with work if my energy dips often?
A: Plan your essential work around high-energy times, and keep low-energy backups (like “admin hour” or “creative brainstorms”) ready for slower days.
Q: What if my clients’ schedules don’t match mine?
A: Set boundaries early. Offer a few set time windows for calls, then use the rest of your day for flow work. Your energy matters, too.
Final Thoughts
Consistency doesn’t come from rigid schedules — it comes from respecting your rhythm.
When your business routine supports your energy, everything feels lighter.
You’re not forcing momentum; you’re flowing with it.
So go ahead — build your business around your energy, not against it.
That’s where ease, joy, and real productivity live.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions I didn’t cover here, or if you’re looking for advice specific to your business, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help you grow your business in a way that feels aligned and sustainable!
