Like a lot of people, exercising right after work is what helps me. Diet seems to help as well.
Timing of my caffeine is also critical. I usually try to have caffeine (2 shot Americano) in the morning and something towards the end of my work day around 3, maybe a single Americano or some sugar free energy drink. Then by the time I workout and get home I have a nice, sustainable stream of energy and can focus. I run into problems with caffeine if I have it too close to the time I really need to work. I get jittery and can't focus.
I also don't put too much pressure on myself. Some days I'll feel like working and get a lot accomplished. Other days I don't, or can't be productive later in the day, that's just life. No reason to beat myself up over it.
Totally agree that caffeine can have a huge impact on energy.
I used to drink very strong coffee first thing in the morning (probably equivalent 3-4 shots of espresso), be highly productive until mid-morning, crash, have lunch, then do it again in the afternoon.
This cycle was terrible and eventually I broke it by reducing caffeine. Now I drink green tea 3-4 times a day - a light boost without any of the accompanied cratering. Takes at least a month to get used to, though.
Timing of my caffeine is also critical. I usually try to have caffeine (2 shot Americano) in the morning and something towards the end of my work day around 3, maybe a single Americano or some sugar free energy drink. Then by the time I workout and get home I have a nice, sustainable stream of energy and can focus. I run into problems with caffeine if I have it too close to the time I really need to work. I get jittery and can't focus.
I also don't put too much pressure on myself. Some days I'll feel like working and get a lot accomplished. Other days I don't, or can't be productive later in the day, that's just life. No reason to beat myself up over it.