How Energy-Based Planning Reduces Overwhelm

There is a version of you that wakes up at 5:00 AM, goes for a run, clears the inbox by 9:00 AM, and meal preps for the week on Sunday. Let's call this your Ideal Self.

Then there is the version of you that actually exists. The one that slept poorly, has a headache, and feels physically repulsed by the idea of looking at a spreadsheet. This is your Real Self.

The problem with traditional productivity systems is that they are designed by your Ideal Self for your Ideal Self. You make a plan on Sunday when you feel optimistic. But when Tuesday rolls around and you're exhausted, that plan feels like a prison.

The Shame Spiral

When you look at your to-do list and see "Write 20-page report" on a day when you can barely brush your teeth, you don't just feel tired. You feel shame. You feel like you're failing.

So you close the list. You avoid it. And the tasks pile up, making the list even scarier to open the next time.

The Solution: Match Tasks to Energy

At TalkToTali, we use a concept called Energy-Based Planning. Instead of just organizing tasks by "due date" or "priority," we tag them by the energy required to complete them:

1. Tiny Energy

Tasks that take less than 5 minutes and require almost no brainpower. These are for when you're completely burnt out but want to maintain momentum.

• Water the plants
• Sort the mail
• Put one load of laundry in

2. Low Energy

Tasks that are tedious but straightforward. Podcast tasks.

• Data entry
• Paying bills
• Folding laundry

3. High Energy

Tasks that require synthesis, creativity, or difficult problem solving. These are precious hours—protect them.

• Writing a report
• Coding a complex feature
• Strategic planning

How Tali Helps

When you talk to Tali, we track the energy level of your tasks. On a bad day, you can simply text Tali: "I'm feeling low energy today."

Instead of showing you your whole terrifying list, Tali will filter for your Low and Tiny tasks. "Okay, let's just focus on these 3 small things."

It turns a day of "failure" into a day of "maintenance." And that makes all the difference.