I’m Not Lazy, I’m in Energy Management Mode

Written By Rheanna Nutter

Let’s get something straight: chronic exhaustion is not laziness!

And managing your capacity isn’t procrastination.

It’s strategy. It’s self-preservation. It’s survival.

But the world, especially the online business one, doesn’t leave room for that kind of nuance. If you’ve ever had a day where just getting out of bed felt like a group project, and your to-do list stared back at you like a disappointed gym coach, this one’s for you.

The Myth of Lazy Entrepreneurs

I used to beat myself up for every “unproductive” day.

Every time I postponed a task.

Every time I had to lie down mid-project, mid-email, mid-freaking-idea.

The inner critic voice? Loud.

The outside world? Even louder.

Here’s what I wasn’t reminding myself: resting is not failing.

Pausing isn’t quitting.

And if you live with chronic illness, disability, or persistent fatigue, then your energy is a precious, limited resource. Managing it wisely is not just important, it’s required for your survival and your success.

What Energy Management Actually Looks Like

Energy management isn’t cute.

It’s not sipping tea in a bubble bath while your launch runs on autopilot - though I love that for us when it happens.

It’s things like:

  • Cancelling calls last minute because your body has a meltdown

  • Scheduling meetings for the time of day you’re most alert, even if that’s a weird ass midday window

  • Using automation tools not because you’re scaling to 7 figures, but because you literally can’t keep up with DMs and emails otherwise

  • Repeating the same meal for a week because executive dysfunction and decision fatigue are tag-teaming you

This isn’t laziness. It’s adaptive business strategy for chronically ill and exhausted entrepreneurs.

Why Traditional Productivity Advice Doesn’t Work for Us

The entire online business space is built on assumptions.

Assumptions like:

  • Your energy is consistent

  • You can push through anything

  • The only thing standing between you and success is discipline

But if you’ve ever flared mid-launch, or needed a nap halfway through writing your sales page, you already know. That advice is built for a completely different nervous system.

How I Made Peace With My Capacity

It took me years, and more than a few menty-b’s, to realize that rest isn’t a reward for hard work.

Rest has to be part of the business model.

Now I build my offers, my schedule, and even my content plan around one core principle:

“My body runs the show. My business adapts, not the other way around.”

I swapped high-energy launches for sprint-style programs with flexible delivery.

I built custom ChatGPT-powered tools that do the heavy thinking for me.

I created systems inside my Chaos Detox Sprint so other chronically exhausted entrepreneurs could stop spinning out and finally get organized without burning out.

And I made the tools inside the spoon saver ai starter kit for the days when you want to keep the wheels turning, even when your spoons are MIA.

Want Help Managing Your Energy Like a CEO?

Here’s what I recommend if this blog hit a little too close to home:

And if you’ve been calling yourself lazy?

I promise, you’re not.

You’re navigating a broken system in a brilliant way.

Energy management is productivity.

Let’s build businesses that get that.

forever your hype girl,

Rheanna Nutter
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