How I Tripled My Content Output Using Energy-Based Planning
Stop managing time. Start managing energy. Here's how using AI
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Why The Most Productive Creators Plan Around Energy, Not Time
Your to-do list is endless. Your content calendar is packed. And that productivity app you downloaded last week? Still unopened.
Here's what nobody tells you: The most successful creators don't organize their day around time – they organize around energy.
I discovered this by accident. After burning out trying to write articles at 11 PM, I switched to an energy-based system. My output tripled in 30 days. Now I want to share my approach to productivity.
What You'll Learn
I’m going to show you:
Why traditional time management fails creators (and what to do instead)
How to identify your peak energy hours for maximum creative output
A simple 3-tier system for matching tasks to your energy levels
AI prompts that plan your content schedule around your natural rhythm
Specific examples for TikTok and blogging.
🕰️ The Problem With Traditional Productivity
Most productivity advice was built for office workers, not creators. They tell you to:
Time block your calendar
Use the Pomodoro technique
Track your tasks
Prioritize your to-dos
But here's what they miss: Creative work requires different types of energy. You can't write a script with the same energy you use to schedule tweets.
Think about your last week. When did you feel most creative? When did editing feel impossible? When did admin tasks seem manageable?
That's not random. That's your energy pattern.
⚡️ Why Energy-Based Creation Works
Traditional time management fails creators for three reasons:
1. Creative Work Isn't Linear
You can't force creativity into 30-minute blocks. Some days, you'll write a script in 20 minutes. Other days, you'll stare at a blank screen for hours.
2. Different Tasks Need Different Energy
Recording a video requires peak energy. Editing can happen with medium energy. Scheduling social posts works with low energy.
3. Timing Matters More Than Time
Two hours at 9 AM might be worth more than four hours at 3 PM. It's not about how much time you have – it's about when you use it.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Since switching to energy-based creation:
My content output has tripled
Article quality has improved
I work fewer hours
I post more consistently
And I feel less stressed!
🎓 How It Works: The Basics
Instead of asking "What's next on my list?" start with "What energy do I have right now?"
Every task falls into three energy levels:
High Energy Tasks:
Writing scripts
Recording videos
Creating course content
Writing articles
Brainstorming ideas
Medium Energy Tasks:
Editing videos
Basic research
Outlining content
Engaging with comments
Creating thumbnails
Low Energy Tasks:
Scheduling posts
Basic admin
Email management
Social media sharing
Data analysis
🔥 The Complete AI Prompt Framework
Here's where it gets interesting. This is my system of AI prompts that:
Plan your content around your energy levels
Batches similar tasks together
Maximizes your peak creative hours
Adapts to your content type
Here they are…
Core Planning Prompt
This is your daily command center.
Using these parameters, create a detailed content production schedule:
Available time: 4 hours per day
Peak energy: [time] to [time]
Content goals: [2 videos/week, 3 articles/week, etc.]
Energy slump: Usually at [time]
Additional info: [any specific constraints]
Please generate:
1. Complete 7-day production calendar with:
Exact content pieces to create each day
Draft titles/topics for each piece
Specific time blocks for each task
2. For each content piece, provide:
Outline/structure
Key points to cover
Research sources needed
3. Batch processing groups:
Which pieces to create together
Which tasks to batch
Suggested order of tasks
4. Ready-to-use task lists for:
High energy blocks
Medium energy blocks
Low energy blocks
Content Batch Creation
This prompt helps you create weeks of content in one sitting.
Create a complete batch of [content type] with these details:
Peak energy window: [X hours]
Main topic area: [specify]
Audience interests: [specify]
Content format: [specify]
Any style preferences: [specify]
Please provide:
1. Full content package:
10 ready-to-use titles
Complete outline for each piece
Hook/intro for each piece
Key points fully written out
2. For each piece:
Finished script/draft
Suggested visuals/b-roll needs
Call-to-action variations
3. Production efficiency plan:
Which pieces to record/create together
Shared resources/research to prep once
Template elements to reuse
4. Ready-to-go supplementary content:
Social media copy for each piece
Description/caption templates
Hashtag sets for each piece
Energy-Based Repurposing
Turn one piece of content into many, based on your energy level.
Repurpose this content into multiple formats:
Original content: [paste content]
My current energy level: [high/medium/low]
Please:
Generate 5 ready-to-post social media updates
Create 3 thread variations of the main points
Write 2 newsletter versions of this content
Suggest 3 ways to expand key sections into new content
List which of these need my review vs can be posted directly
For each piece:
Note if it needs any customization from me
Include relevant hashtags/formatting
Flag if it needs visuals I'll need to create
🧐 Content-Specific Examples
Why Energy Levels Matter Even With AI
Here's the thing about AI outputs - they're not "post and go." Everything needs human touch:
High energy edits: Rewriting key sections, adding personal voice, crafting better hooks
Medium energy edits: Fact checking, formatting, adding examples
Low energy edits: Basic proofreading, adding hashtags, scheduling
That's why we tell the AI our energy level - it adjusts its output accordingly:
High energy: Provides rough ideas and frameworks for you to build on creatively
Medium energy: Delivers more complete drafts needing moderate revision
Low energy: Creates highly polished content needing minimal edits
Examples By Creator Type
For Bloggers…
Example Input:
Create a complete batch of blog content with these details:
Peak energy window: 6am-9am
Main topic: Personal finance for millennials
Content format: 1500-word blog posts
Style: Conversational, story-driven
Frequency: 3 posts/week
Please provide:
1. Full content package:
10 ready-to-use titles
Complete outline for each piece
Hook/intro for each piece
Key points fully written out
2. For each piece:
Finished draft
Data points needed
Call-to-action variations
3. Production efficiency plan:
Which posts to write together
Shared research to prep once
Template elements to reuse
4. Ready-to-go supplementary content:
Twitter thread versions
Newsletter versions
LinkedIn post variations
Example Output:
Content Package - Money Mindset Series
Post Group 1 - Mindset Foundations
(Write these together - they share core research)
Post 1: "Why You're Still Broke (Even With a Six-Figure Salary)"
Hook: "Last year I made $125,000 and had nothing to show for it. Here's what I learned about why high earners still live paycheck to paycheck..."
Complete outline:
1. The High-Earner Paradox
Statistics on six-figure debt
Common lifestyle traps
[Full outline continues...]
Finished draft: [1500-word draft included]
Research needed:
2022 millennial salary data
Lifestyle inflation statistics
[Research list continues...]
Posts 2-3: [Similar detail level for each]
Template Elements:
Case study format
Data presentation structure
Story arc template
[Templates continue...]
Twitter Thread Version:
1/ "Making 6 figures but still broke? Here's why..."
2/ The average millennial making $125k+ still lives paycheck to paycheck.
3/ Here's what I learned after analyzing 100+ high-earner budgets:
[Thread continues...]
[Similar detail level for LinkedIn and Newsletter versions]
For TikTokers…
Example Input:
Create a complete batch of TikTok content with these details:
Peak energy window: 10am-1pm
Topic: Productivity hacks
Style: Quick, engaging tutorials
Frequency: Daily posts
Current trends: [list 2-3 trending sounds]
Please provide:
1. Full content package:
7 ready-to-shoot concepts
Script for each video
Hook for each piece
Shot list/b-roll needs
2. For each video:
Complete dialogue
Text overlay content
Hashtag strategy
3. Production efficiency plan:
Which videos to film together
Shared props/setups
Batch filming guide
4. Ready-to-go supplementary content:
Instagram Reel versions
YouTube Short variations
Pinterest Idea Pin adaptations
Example Output:
Weekly Content Batch - Productivity Hacks
Batch 1 - Desk Setup Series
(Film these together - same setup, different angles)
Video 1: "The 2-Minute Desk Reset"
Hook: "Your messy desk is killing your focus"
Trending sound: [Sound name] - Use first 15 seconds
Script:
📱 On screen text: "Your messy desk = -40% productivity"
🎥 Shot 1: Pan across messy desk
🗣️ Voiceover: "A cluttered space means a cluttered mind..."
[Full script continues...]
Filming Notes:
Film all desk panning shots together
Get b-roll of organizing in batch
Film all talking head shots in sequence
Required shots:
Wide desk view
Close-up of organization
Before/after shots
[Shot list continues...]
Videos 2-7: [Similar detail level for each]
Batch Filming Guide:
Morning block (10-11am):
All talking head shots
Main demonstrations
[Guide continues...]
Instagram Reel Version:
Adjusted ratio specs
Modified script for 90 seconds
Alternative hooks for IG audience
[Full adaptation included...]
Key Takeaway
Notice how each output is comprehensive but still needs your touch:
High energy: Rewrite hooks, adjust personal stories, enhance examples
Medium energy: Edit scripts, modify transitions, adjust pacing
Low energy: Format text overlays, add hashtags, schedule posts
The AI does the heavy lifting, but your creative input turns good content into great content.
✅ Next Steps
But here's the real secret: The best content system isn't the most complex – it's the one you'll actually use.
Start with one content type. Pick your peak energy time. Use these prompts to create your content. Then let the AI handle the repurposing during your low-energy periods.
Remember: You don't need to use every prompt or create every variation. Start small, be consistent, and let AI help you build your content engine based on your energy levels. Your energy is your most valuable creative resource. Use it wisely.
Happy creating!
Andy
P.S. Found this helpful? Forward it to a friend who could use a better note-taking system. They'll thank you during finals week! 📚
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