[anw]

Yes, I also alternate. But my ebb and flows are around motivation, not exertion.

If I am working for someone else, and I put in a lot of effort, then I feel completely drained after N amount of days (or after project completion) – which requires me to mentally "unlink" my brain from anything related to that project.

If I am working for myself, whether that be on my company, or for personal growth, then I can hit a wall day after day and still find motivation to continue forward, projecting even one little victory as something that can give me energy to keep going.

The key for me is motivation. If I feel invested (and rewarded) in my own growth, then I am much more productive than just adding more to the bottom line of some faceless organisation.

Good luck to you! I hope you find something worth while that both gives you energy and makes you feel like you're growing.

[ali92hm]

So this is one thing I'm trying to tease out. Do I feel motivated because I'm well rested and have energy? Or is it the motivation that causes the energy?

From this morning I can say it's the former. I do feel super excited to work on my stuff, but just cant get myself to do them or start. Getting out of the bed this morning was tough

[nicbou]

I am not the user above, but it's both. I have off days, and the privilege not to work on off days. I can let them pass and work another day, when the conditions are right. Overall I end up working more with greater energy, just not steadily.