Running on Full: An Energy Management System for People Who Work Really Hard

Everyone in tech talks about burnout like it's the inevitable tax on working hard. It's not. But it does require a system.

Rest and high performance are not opposites. At the pace things are moving right now, knowing how to manage your energy is a competitive advantage, not a soft skill.

This talk is not about meditation retreats. It's about tactical, repeatable systems that real people with demanding jobs, busy lives, working 996 can actually use.

I'll walk through the framework I use: mapping my energy across the year in seasonal blocks, doing quarterly calendar audits to figure out where my time is going and whether it maps to what actually gives me energy, building "forcing functions" into my schedule, flipping the build:lead ratio during key moments throughout the year, working in intervals, giving yourself permission to nap, etc.

We'll also talk about the concept of operating within your zone of genius and how to identify where you're spending time doing work that depletes you versus work that fills you up, and how to slowly shift the ratio.

This is not about achieving some perfect, balanced life. This talk is about the system that helps you reset, every time, and show up fully for the work that matters.

Key Audience Takeaways: 
-A framework for mapping energy across the year
-How to build "forcing functions" that make good habits automatic
-A calendar audit method to identify energy drains vs. energy sources
-How to identify your zone of genius and increase time spent there
-A more honest definition of hustle, one that includes recovery as part of the strategy
-Balancing the "yes" vs "no" ratio, especially as your company evolves