Reading Log

The table of contents already puts me off: four principles, three steps, five obstacles. The usual bestseller routine, dressed up to look scientific. I feel the most valuable thing in this book is its title: manage energy, not time.

The opening section says we should be fully engaged. It reads like something written to sell to bosses so they can hype up their employees. Again, surveys supposedly show that many people are not fully engaged, and explain all the wonderful outcomes full engagement would bring. In reality, society reflects the interplay of many competing forces. That survey can only show that most jobs are not worth full engagement, or simply do not require it.

The idea that full engagement requires seeking out stress is interesting. Let’s keep reading.

The logic behind the writing has revealed itself: the clients are managers across various industries looking for a way to improve employee efficiency. That is the starting point for this book.

Having read more, I find very little practical substance. There is some, of course, but it is mostly the same old advice: go to bed early, get up early, drink more water. The more important question seems to be why people develop bad habits. Maintaining these healthy habits actually runs against human nature, and that maintenance itself consumes some energy.

The case studies in Energy Management look made up. People supposedly come to them over little things like being unable to focus, and become case studies. The cases exist to prove the argument. Still, they did give me one insight: when you realize that something in your current life is not right, just change it.

The book’s logic also feels cobbled together. It starts by splitting one concept into four: energy management is divided into physical energy, emotion, thought (intelligence? inspiration?), and will (a greater purpose). Then it throws out a case and leaves it there??? One by one, it argues for the importance of each area using surveys that obviously favor its own position, then cases to make the same point. Finally, it says to set goals, face reality, and take action. A boring book.

It reminds me a little of another book, Procrastination. At least that one explores the underlying reasons. This book keeps telling us what is good and how we should gradually improve to become good, without investigating the deeper causes behind habits that seem bad. It prescribes a cure without understanding the cause. Better suited to being sold to bosses as motivational fluff for their employees.

A rubbish book.