Happy Monday 🌞
I’m so glad to be back in your inbox. The last few weeks I have been in a Minimum season — where I had less energy but my usual amounts of time, and it was helpful to experience this season of capacity with more awareness instead of just feeling frustrated about being tired.
Minimum season is one of the names of the Seasons of Capacity framework I shared a few months ago, you can read about it here, but the quick overview is that it helps you see where your capacity is at based on your amount of time (scarce, normal, plentiful), and your amount of energy (low, steady, high).
When I shared the Seasons of Capacity framework, the question I got a lot was how do I move into a season with more time or energy?
Since I just spent a lot of time focusing on increasing my energy levels (and I still am), I’ll tackle the energy side of this question first.
The answer I keep coming back to is straightforward: know yourself better.
The more you know about yourself — what drains you, what motivates you — the better you can increase your energy levels.
Here’s what I mean:
Understanding what gives you energy
When I look at the Seasons of Capacity framework and realize I’m low on energy, I don’t just vaguely try to “rest more.” I know specifically what recharges me.
For me, that’s reading, going to networking events, and baking new desserts. I’ve learned these give me energy back, and knowing that means I can be intentional about building them into my life.
Your list will look different but the same concept applies. Maybe you get energy from running, or working with your hands, or listening to a specific type of music, or spending time alone in nature.
The key is knowing what gives you energy.
Of course, foundational things like sleep, exercise, and nutrition play a huge role in energy — I mentioned The Power of Full Engagement in my Seasons of Capacity post, which covers physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy. But beyond those basics, knowing your specific recharge activities is key.
Using personality insights to understand yourself
Beyond understanding your energy sources, personality tests can give you language and insight into who you are. I’ve written about professional personality tests before, and I’m still a big believer in taking these tests to both learn about yourself and specifically learn language about yourself you can share with others.
My favorite personality test is the Enneagram, which tells you your motivations. I’m an Enneagram 3, which means I’m highly motivated by achievements and accomplishments. Once I knew this about myself, I could design systems that work with my natural wiring instead of against it.
For example:
- I put small tasks on my to-do list because the satisfaction of checking them off gives me energy and momentum
- When I’m working toward a bigger goal, I break it down into clear milestones because outlining progress is genuinely motivating to me
- I keep an accomplishments list because acknowledging achievements keeps me driven
None of these would work as well if I didn’t understand what motivates me. And your list will look different if you’re motivated by different things — maybe you need more autonomy, or variety, or social connection in how you structure your work.
Connecting it back to seasons
When people ask me how to move from one season to another — say, from Routine (scarce time, steady energy) to Flow (normal time, high energy) — the answer starts with self-knowledge.
You need to know what specifically increases your energy. You need to understand what gives you time back and what steals it. You need to recognize your own patterns around motivation and burnout.
That knowledge tells you which changes to prioritize and which systems to build to support a more energized season.
Right now, I’m working on moving towards Flow. Because I know reading energizes me, I’m making time for it and setting up small wins along the way to stay motivated.
This is all only possible because I’ve invested time in understanding who I am and what works for me when I’m low energy.
Your turn
What’s one activity that consistently energizes you? Do you make space for it?
If you’re trying to move to a season with higher energy, it starts with knowing where your energy comes from. The time you invest in understanding yourself pays off in every system you build to support you.
I’ve been thinking of these seasons lots, so there is a lot more to come here. Reply if this sparks any thoughts or questions and I may include it in a future piece. ✨
I hope you have a lovely week ahead. Hailley
Hailley
That's all for this newsletter! Thank you so much for subscribing. Reply anytime you want to chat. ✨
I'm happy to offer my writing and this newsletter for free, but if you're so compelled, a seasonal latte is always appreciated! ☕️
