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Book Recommendation: The Five Gears by Kati Hanna, Mettise Partner

As a busy consultant, I often wondered why, despite leaving the office at a decent hour, spending time with my family, and getting a full night’s sleep, I still wasn’t feeling fully refreshed for the next day. It wasn’t until I read The Five Gears by Jeremie Kubicek that I understood why.

The book breaks down how we operate in one of five gears at any given time—and how spending intentional time in each gear is key to fully recharging and optimizing our energy.

The biggest realization for me? I wasn’t spending enough time in First Gear—the space that refreshes, inspires, and truly energizes you. Instead, like many professionals, I was constantly in Fourth Gear—multitasking, checking boxes, and getting things done. And it didn’t matter if I was at work or at home—I was still operating in the same gear. Looking back, I realized that 80% of my day was spent in Fourth Gear, which explained why I never felt truly recharged.

This short but powerful read is a game-changer for anyone who wants to be more intentional with their time and maximize their energy. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly “on” but not fully present—or like you’re working hard but not feeling refreshed—this book will give you the tools to shift gears and operate at your best. Highly recommend!

Would love to hear from others—have you noticed yourself stuck in Fourth Gear too?