The 10-Min Guide to Audit Your Productivity & Energy
The Energy & Impact Matrix
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The Energy & Impact Matrix to work smarter & feel better
Not all tasks are created equal—some push you forward, some hold you back, and some just drain the life out of you. The Energy & Impact Matrix helps you assess how your daily activities influence both your progress and your well-being.
We will combine two powerful productivity frameworks:
The Energy Audit (Tony Robbins) – Identify what fuels or drains you.
The 80/20 Principle – Focus on the tasks that generate the most results.
Step 1: Brain-Dump Your Weekly Activities
Step 1: Write down the tasks you’ve engaged in over the past day, week, or month—work-related tasks, social commitments, exercise, and personal care routines. If you use a planner or calendar, scan through it. Don’t overthink it; done is better than perfect.
For each activity, ask yourself:
Did this energize me or drain me?
Did this contribute significantly (80%) or minimally (20%) toward my goals?
Step 2: Assign Tasks to the 4 Quadrants
Once you’ve classified your activities based on energy and impact, place them into one of these quadrants:
Quadrant 1: High Impact (80%) + Gives Energy
These tasks fuel you and drive meaningful progress. Prioritize and do more of them.
Examples: Deep creative work, strategic planning, high-value client interactions, skill-building that excites you.
Action: Double down. Schedule these first in your calendar.
Quadrant 2: Low Impact (20%) + Gives Energy
These tasks bring joy but don’t significantly move the needle.
Examples: Hobby projects, coffee chats, engaging in professional communities, learning for fun.
Action: Keep or minimize. Enjoy them, but ensure they don’t overshadow Quadrant 1.
Quadrant 3: High Impact (80%) + Drains Energy
These tasks are essential but depleting. The goal? Make them more manageable.
Examples: Deep-focus work with tight deadlines, client negotiations, complex problem-solving, managing large teams.
Action: Reassess. Can you delegate, automate, or batch them? If not, implement strategies to lessen the drain (e.g., breaks, support systems).
Quadrant 4: Low Impact (20%) + Drains Energy
These are the biggest time-wasters—low-value and exhausting. Eliminate or delegate immediately.
Examples: Excessive meetings, mindless scrolling, non-essential admin work, saying 'yes' to things out of obligation.
Action: Cut ruthlessly. These activities are distractions, not progress.
Next steps
Review & Adjust: Look at your week ahead—how can you shift time toward Quadrant 1?
Delegate or Eliminate: Identify at least one Quadrant 3 or 4 task you can offload.
Batch & Automate: Group energy-draining tasks together.
By auditing your productivity and energy, you’ll start working with yourself—not against yourself.
Less burnout, more momentum.