Yesterday, we explored how to use CliftonStrengths to shape the way you naturally approach tasks.
What energizes you.
What drains you.
And what might keep you stuck.
But awareness isn’t enough.
You still have the list.
The pressure.
And the uncertainty of where to begin.
Let’s fix that.
Shifting the Perspective
Most of us try to power through a to-do list from top to bottom.
Or we might chase whatever’s most pressing in the moment.
But what if you looked at it through a different lens?
Not just urgency and importance.
Instead focusing on our energy.
Introducing Energy Action Grid
This simple 4-quadrant matrix helps us sort our list based on two things:
- Energy: Is this task energizing or draining?
- Impact: Does this task matter or just feel like busywork?
Here’s how the grid works:
| Energizing | Draining | |
| High Impact | Do First (The Flow Zone) Move the needle and feel-good doing | Strategic Effort Worth doing, but manage energy |
| Low Impact | Nice to Do Low Impact, but easy wins. | Let Go Delegate, delay or delete |
Step 1: Look at Your List Through an Energy Lens
Pull out your to-do list.
Think about each task and ask:
- Does this energize or drain me?
- Is this high value or low value in this season of life or work?
Use your strengths to guide these answers.
For example, achievers might be energized by tasks, but need to ask: What is the impact?
Or learners might love the research project but avoid the repetitive update.
Command might thrive on hard decisions but ignore “small” tasks until they pile up.
Step 2: Plot Your Tasks
Map each task into one of the four quadrants:
The Flow Zone: These activities are both Energizing + High Impact. They should be done first. Lean into them and let others know that this is your sweet spot.
Focused Effort: These tasks are Draining + High Impact. They are going to provide high impact, so they need to get planned in. Schedule them for your high energy times, batch them, take breaks when needed, and consider asking others for support (maybe someone else has this task in their flow zone). These are often the tasks that make the biggest difference but take the most out of us.
Quick Wins: This set of tasks are Energizing + Low Impact. Many people gravitate to this square. The activities feel fun or easy, but don’t always move the needle. Consider using them as warm-up tasks, but don’t let them eat up your whole day.
Energy Traps: This last set of tasks are the ones that are Draining + Low Impact. These are the tasks that should be delegated, deleted, or delayed another time. Just because something is on our list doesn’t mean it belongs there.
Step 3: Work with Your Energy
Now that you’ve mapped your list, you can make smarter decisions:
- Start with flow tasks to build momentum.
- Schedule draining tasks when you have space.
- Limit the traps that drain your energy without giving much back.
- Use your strengths and the tips from yesterday to make the experience more aligned.
Strategic? Look for patterns and plan your day accordingly.
Relator? Invite someone to co-work or check in.
Discipline? Time block the tasks by quadrant.
Focus? Pick one quadrant to concentrate on each day.
Summary
When we align our list with our strengths and energy, we spend more time in flow.
The list stops being a punishment and starts becoming a tool.
We stop saying, “Why can’t I get it all done?”
And start asking, What’s the smartest way to start?”
You don’t need more discipline.
You need a better system.
Your Turn
Which quadrant do you tend to spend the most time in?
Could you plot today’s to-do list using the Energy Action Grid?
How do you think the grid might shift how you think about your tasks?