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The world tells us that the harder we push, the faster we’ll get where we want to go. But for many entrepreneurs, especially those of us managing chronic illness, fluctuating energy, or simply a deep desire for a life outside of work, this “more hours = more results” equation is a trap.
Slow productivity offers a different rhythm: one that favors presence over pace, depth over speed, and energy over clock time. It’s not about doing nothing, it’s about doing the right things at the right time, in ways that feel sustainable.
In this post, I’m sharing gentle but effective strategies for working less without stalling your progress. We’ll explore energy-led planning, kind boundaries, and a few journaling prompts to help you define your personal version of “enough.”
Prioritizing Deep Work During High-Energy Windows
Slow productivity isn’t about stretching your to-do list across fewer hours, it’s about completely reshaping it. Instead of asking, “How many hours can I work today?”, we can start asking, “When will I have the most energy to do my best work?”
When you identify your natural high-energy windows (for some, that’s mid-morning; for others, it’s a post-lunch surge), you can schedule your most creative or mentally demanding tasks during those times. This is the foundation of energy-led planning, a core value at TJSM Studios.
I once worked with a client who was clocking in 50 frantic hours per week but constantly felt behind. By tracking her energy and rearranging her schedule, she shifted to just 15 focused hours of deep work each week, and her output actually improved. The difference? She was no longer forcing productivity at her lowest-energy times.
Try this:
- Keep a simple daily log for one week. Note your energy levels in morning, afternoon, and evening.
- Schedule your most important task (MIT) for your highest-energy block.
- Use low-energy times for maintenance work, admin, or rest.
Saying No and Setting Boundaries Without Guilt
In a slow business model, “no” is not a rejection, it’s a commitment to what matters most.
Saying yes to every opportunity might feel like momentum, but often it’s just motion without direction. One entrepreneur I worked with cut her project load in half and focused only on premium, values-aligned clients. The result? More energy, higher income, and the space to take weekends off without panic.
Language for a kind but firm “no”:
- “Thank you so much for thinking of me. My plate is full right now, but I’d love to stay connected for future opportunities.”
- “I’m honored you reached out, but this doesn’t align with my current focus. Wishing you the best with your project.”
Remember: boundaries are energy protection tools. Without them, sustainable productivity is nearly impossible.
Journaling Prompts to Identify Your Non-Negotiables
Journaling gives you space to make decisions from clarity, not urgency. Before agreeing to new commitments, you can turn to your journal to explore:
- What does my ideal slow workweek look like?
- Which tasks actually move my business forward?
- Which opportunities feel exciting but draining?
- What boundaries protect my energy without isolating me?
You can even integrate this into a monthly reflection practice, noting how your needs shift with seasons, health, or life changes. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns, clues about what’s truly worth your energy. We’ve even got a Monthly Reflection Workbook to help you figure this out.
Final Thoughts
Slow productivity is not about laziness or lack of ambition, it’s about designing a business that supports your life, not the other way around. Working with your energy instead of against it allows you to move forward with intention, creativity, and joy.
Progress built slowly is progress that lasts. And when you protect your energy, you’re not only preserving your capacity, you’re making space for your best work to emerge.
Suggested AI Prompt for Readers
You can use this prompt in ChatGPT or any AI assistant to help you take action on this blog topic.
“Offer me a week’s worth of gentle daily planning suggestions based on energy-led productivity. Include one deep work task, one maintenance task, and one rest or recharge activity each day.”
10 Guided Journaling or Planning Prompts
- When in my week do I feel the most mentally alert?
- What three tasks, if done consistently, would keep my business healthy?
- What am I currently doing out of obligation rather than genuine desire?
- Where could I give myself permission to pause or slow down?
- What does a “good enough” workday look like for me?
- How do I want my business to feel, day-to-day?
- What signs tell me I’m reaching the edge of burnout?
- What’s one thing I can remove from my calendar without major consequence?
- Which client or project relationships bring me energy instead of draining it?
- How can I celebrate small wins in my work without adding pressure?
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to send you gentle, practical guidance straight to your inbox. The Journey is my monthly letter filled with slow productivity tips, energy-led planning tools, and journaling prompts, designed to help you protect your energy while moving steadily toward what matters most. Join The Journey