Dr Amantha Imber is an organisational psychologist, founder of Inventium, and host of the acclaimed How I Work pHodcast. Despite years spent teaching leaders how to work smarter, Dr. Imber found herself burning out, leading her to question whether time management is really the answer to sustainable high performance.
In this episode Cec and Amantha explore the importance of managing energy—not just time—and share practical, science-backed strategies for boosting, resting, and protecting your energy so you can thrive in your business without running yourself into the ground.
If you’re a solo operator feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, this episode is packed with insights and tips to help you recharge and avoid burnout.
1. Energy Management vs. Time Management
Many believe time management is the key to success, but managing energy may be more important for sustainable performance.
Burnout can occur even when using optimal productivity systems and time management tools.
The importance of understanding and actively managing energy, not just time, is emphasised for business owners.
2. Recognising Burnout and Early Warning Signs
Burnout is often a slow build-up, not an overnight event.
Early warning signs involve depletion in three areas: physical (chronic fatigue), mental (brain fog, difficulty making decisions), and emotional energy (heightened sensitivity, frequent tears).
Being able to identify these signs early can help individuals intervene before reaching a crisis point.
3. Practical Strategies for Boosting and Protecting Energy
Simple, evidence-backed strategies (like a 30-second cold shower, the “mint hit,” or a “silent walk”) can rapidly improve energy levels
Protecting energy is as crucial as boosting it—using tactics like the “70% rule” for delegating tasks to prevent unnecessary energy drain.
Experimenting with different techniques and tracking results makes it easier to find what works for each individual’s unique needs.
4. The Role of People and Culture in Energy Management
Working with “dementors” (energy-draining people) can significantly deplete emotional energy; addressing or removing such influences is key.
Even valuable team members or clients may need feedback or boundaries if they negatively impact energy and culture.
Firing clients and performance-managing team members who consistently drain energy may be necessary for long-term sustainability
Timestamped overview
00:00 Experiencing burnout as a CEO
04:12 The burnout recovery fantasy
08:38 Research and writing the third book
13:41 Finding the minimum viable dose
15:40 Cold water therapy strategies
21:12 Struggling with low sales and stress
23:55 Firing difficult clients
26:09 Managing team performance issues
29:39 Boost, rest, and protect strategies
34:50 Delegating with the 70% rule
36:49 Challenges of Untrained AI Use
42:03 Recognizing early burnout signs
43:48 Using peppermint oil for energy
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