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THINKING BUSINESS
a blog by Chris Barrow

Why I Nearly Burned Out (And What I Learned About Energy) - a guest post by Mark Topley

Writer's picture: Chris BarrowChris Barrow



I’m frequently contacted by people who have products and services of relevance to my clients. For over 25+ years I have maintained a policy that I do not accept introducers fees or commissions – I simply broadcast and comment on good ideas.


Seven years ago, I was running on empty.


Work was full-on, my to-do list was breeding overnight, and I had that constant, nagging feeling that I was forgetting something important (I usually was). My solution? Work harder. Get up earlier. Stay up later. Push through.


It didn’t work.


Instead, I hit a wall. Hard. Not the kind where you take a deep breath, have a coffee, and crack on. The kind where your brain turns to soup, even small decisions feel like quantum physics, and you start Googling things like, “Can stress actually kill you?”


At first, I thought I had a time management problem. Turns out, I had an energy management problem.


The Big Lie About Productivity


We’re all fed the same advice: manage your time better. Make a list. Block your calendar. Work smarter, not harder. But here’s the thing—none of that works when you’re exhausted.


Time is fixed. Energy is renewable. And if you’re running on empty, no amount of time-blocking, fancy planners, or “hustle culture” nonsense is going to change that.


Since nearly burning out, I’ve worked hard to stay healthy, sustain my energy, and avoid sliding back into exhaustion. And I’ve learned some big lessons along the way.


1. You Don’t Need More Time—You Need More Energy


Ever had a day where you’re fully switched on, firing through work like a productivity ninja? And then another day, same number of hours, where everything takes twice as long and you get distracted by a weird stain on your desk for 15 minutes?


Same time. Different energy.


The difference between a productive day and a frustrating one isn’t how many hours you have—it’s how much good energy you bring to them.


2. “Non-Productive” Time is Actually Fuel


For years, I treated breaks like a moral failing. Surely, if I was truly committed, I wouldn’t need to step away from my desk?


Wrong.


Breaks, movement, decent food, even staring out of the window doing nothing—these aren’t distractions, they’re fuel. Your brain needs space to function properly. Without it, you’re running your battery into the ground.


(And let’s be real—nobody does their best thinking when they’re frazzled and hungry.)


3. Your Brain Has Peak Hours—Use Them


You wouldn’t expect a racehorse to sprint nonstop all day, but somehow we expect ourselves to?

Your brain isn’t built for constant output. There are peak energy hours when deep focus comes easily, and low-energy slumps where even writing an email feels like climbing Everest. The trick is working with your energy, not against it.


  • High energy? Tackle deep work, strategy, or creative tasks.

  • Medium energy? Meetings, brainstorming, collaboration.

  • Low energy? Admin, emails, clearing your desk of mystery stains.


What’s the Fix? (And How Do You Find the Time?)


Look, I don’t claim to have all the answers—because everyone’s different. But I do know this: if you’re feeling drained, distracted, or overwhelmed, something needs to change.


That’s why I put together the Energy & Focus Toolkit—a simple, practical guide. 


For just £27, the Energy & Focus Toolkit gives you practical, real-world strategies to help you:


  • Get more done with less stress

  • Break the cycle of exhaustion and distraction

  • Build simple, sustainable habits that actually work


£27 is less than the cost of a takeaway or a week of overpriced lattes— but the impact on your productivity, well-being, and sanity? Massive.


Invest in your energy, your focus, and your ability to lead at your best.


Get the toolkit now and start making the changes that matter.


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