The practical alternative to ‘effort = reward’

I grew up in a household where work came first. One of nine daughters in a family-run hospitality business, I was put to work early. Too small to reach the pot sink? Stand on a crate!

The message was clear: effort = reward.

That mindset made me a great employee in investment banking, where long hours and visible commitment were rewarded. But running my own business has shifted the equation, and I’ve learned that working more doesn’t necessarily mean achieving more.

Still, the instinct to chase results through stamina is hard to shake. That’s why I keep coming back to this month’s HBR article. Drawing on work with leading global companies, it highlights how energy (not time) is what improves productivity, and suggests practical ways you can protect focus, think more clearly and lead at a more sustainable pace.

If you’re pushing hard but getting less back, this is a must-read for you.

CADENCE CURATION

Read: Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time | HBR (20-minute read)

This HBR classic flips the usual productivity advice to manage time better. Instead, it shows the value of managing your energy levels, and suggests simple, results-backed ways to get started.

Read the article for ideas to

• Replenish your four energy areas (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) equally for maximum productivity.
• Build recovery into your schedule and model it so others feel permission to do the same.
• Use rituals (not willpower) to sustain focus and reduce decision fatigue.
• Use boundaries to protect focus, and make it easier for your team to do it too.

CADENCE TOOLKIT

Tool: Building Your Resilience Toolkit

Resilience is your ability to bounce back quickly and stay resourceful after setbacks.

This tool explores five core drivers of resilience: purpose, attitude, awareness, support and energy. Use it to spot where you might be slipping, reset unhelpful habits and focus on what fuels you, so you can stay steady and lead effectively under pressure.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Do you need more hours or better alignment?