Harnessing the Power of Your Cyclical Energy

For what I think it has been too long, the traditional approach to productivity has been a one-size-fits-all model, often leaving women feeling drained and burnt out. The truth is, our energy isn't linear; it's cyclical. But this is something that no one teaches us growing up, and I hope changes over time.

If you didn't know about our cyclical energy, I hope that this article serves you as an introduction. And to make it even more relevant, I am going to be including a professional approach to. Why? Because by understanding and aligning with our natural monthly rhythms, we can unlock a more sustainable and fulfilling way to work and live.

The Cyclical Nature of Women's Energy

Unlike men, who operate on a more linear energy cycle, women experience a distinct monthly rhythm that impacts our focus, creativity, social connection, and overall needs. This cycle is aligned with our periods.

Ignoring this part of our biology and pushing through every week as if our energy remains constant (and high - due to the daily demands) wont serve us well. I see it as a recipe recipe for exhaustion that won’t get us the results we want, especially if we constantly operate in low energy levels.

Instead... Imagine a world where our personal life, or our professional or business strategy, aligns seamlessly with our body's natural flow.

I am not saying that we need to do less; it's about doing with intention, leveraging the unique strengths each phase of our cycle offers.

Let’s now talk about the four seasons of our inner cycle, a topic that fascinates me. The more I learn about it (and the more I experience it), the more I know that this is a sustainable way to live our lives, lead and run our businesses.

The Four Seasons of Your Inner Cycle

Just like the year has its distinct seasons, so does our energy cycle. By recognizing and working with these "inner seasons," we can optimise our tasks, goals, and business focus for greater efficiency and well-being. If we work with the energy we have, we’ll be able to sustain it at healthy levels, which has a direct impact in of mind, souls and body.

Inner Winter (Menstrual Phase): The Power Pause

Our inner winter is a natural invitation to slow down, reflect, and reset - while your hormones are low which impact the neurochemicals that influence energy and motivation levels. As our energy dips to its lowest, our intuition and insight are at their peak. This is a powerful time for introspection and strategic review.

In life, this is the perfect time to:

• Curling up with a book

• Saying no to extra social plans and giving yourself permission to rest

• Taking slow walks in nature to reconnect gently with your body, or do gentle yoga

In business, this is the perfect time to:

• Review metrics and performance

• Take a look at what's working and what's not

• Reflect on your vision and reconnect with your core purpose and set intentions for the upcoming cycle

• Rest and recharge, and choose your body gently

Embrace this "power pause" to gain the clarity and focus needed to energize our next cycle. Schedule lighter tasks, make room for stillness, and enjoy the quiet reflection.

Inner Spring (Follicular Phase): The Strategic Sprint

As we move into your inner spring, our energy begins to rise as oestrogen levels peak, sparking new ideas and igniting creativity. We'll feel more optimistic, action-oriented, and ready to embrace new beginnings.

In life, this phase is ideal for:

• Rearranging or decluttering a corner of your home — fresh energy

• Trying a new recipe or starting a small creative project

• Planning family activities or trips with renewed optimism

In business, this is our strategic sprint window, ideal for:

• Planning launches, marketing campaigns, or new projects: Our mind is sharp for organisation and foresight

• Brainstorming and mapping new offers: Let our creative ideas flow and structure them for implementation

• Organising systems or workflows: Streamline processes to improve efficiency

• Making key decisions: Our renewed focus allows for clear and decisive action

Say yes to emerging ideas, start building momentum with light tasks, and create the structure to bring our vision to life. Feel free to challenge yourself and find new ways to move.

Inner Summer (Ovulation Phase): The Visibility Window

Our inner summer is our supercharged phase, where we feel magnetic, outgoing, and energised as our drive increases and our ‘feel good’ neurochemicals are released. Our communication skills are at their peak, making us more verbal, social, and confident. We’ll enjoy a stable mood, improved focus, motivation and happiness.

In life, this is our prime time, perfect for:

• Hosting a dinner with friends or family — feeling social and magnetic

• Engaging in more energising workouts like Body Combat or Tone (if you are a Les Mills user like me!)

• Speaking up with confidence in group conversations or community events

In business, this is your prime visibility window, perfect for:

• Networking and meetings: Engage with others and expand connections

• Pitching offers or collaborations: Our persuasive power is amplified

• Speaking engagements or live videos: Share your message with confidence and charisma

• Closing sales and engaging audience: Our ability to connect and influence is at its highest

Lean into connection, allow yourself to be seen, and use this powerful energy to move significant initiatives forward. We can handle high impact activity and exercise.

Inner Autumn (Luteal Phase): The Refinement Phase

As we transition into your inner autumn, energy begins to turn inward again as progesterone stimulates our relaxing neurochemicals and makes us feel calm. We become more detail-oriented, critical, and discerning, with a lower tolerance for "fluff." While energy may be lower, our focus can be incredibly high if we're not overloaded.

In life, this is the ideal time for:

• Tackling household organisation, like sorting paperwork or cleaning out wardrobes

• Reviewing our monthly budget or tying up personal admin tasks

• Journaling to process emotions and setting clear boundaries around our time

In business, this is the ideal time for:

• Editing, refining, or reviewing: Perfect for polishing content and proposals

• Closing loops and finishing tasks: Tie up loose ends and bring projects to completion

• Setting boundaries and adjusting priorities: Discern what truly needs attention and eliminate distractions

• Streamlining processes: Identify inefficiencies and optimise workflows

Trust your sharp eye, create a clean slate, and make space for the next cycle to begin. Cut back on high impact exercise in the last few days of your cycle.

Energy management: The new productivity

I see embracing energy management, tailored to our cyclical nature as a woman, as the new productivity. We are not linear; we are cyclical, intuitive, and powerful. When we honor our natural rhythms, we can shift from surviving to intentionally living - and in my experience, there is a huge difference between the two!

This cyclical approach reminds us that:

• There's nothing "less than" about needing different things at different times

• Planning with our energy, not just our time, leads to more sustainable and impactful results

• When we stop pushing against our natural flow and start aligning with it, we reclaim focus, clarity, and purpose

Each season of our cycle brings its own unique strengths. By learning to work with these seasons, not against them, we become more productive, efficient, and aligned in both our profession/business and life.

Is it time to redefine productivity on our own terms?

Thank you for reading 💜

Laia