8 Steps to Manage Your Energy

Here we are – the start of a brand new year! I thought I would start the year by diving straight into the “HOW” of energy management.

Last year I had a realisation about the distinction between time management and energy management. For me, the penny dropped, and it all made sense: Efficiency, productivity and progress come from energy management, not time management.

You’ll be aware of this because after this realisation I shared everything I know about the “WHY”. Why energy management is more effective, why it’s healthier, why it’s more sustainable on a long term basis.

So, before this year gets away on us, let’s stop talking about why and get straight into it.

Here are 8 steps to manage your energy, so that you can start today, not tomorrow, not next week.

1. Prioritise your tasks:

When you understand the ebbs and flows of your daily energy levels, you will know how to order your tasks so make the most of them.

Knowing when you’re the most creative and productive will allow you to dedicate that time to tasks that require that energy.

Start by making a list of all the tasks that you need to accomplish, then prioritise and schedule them based on importance and urgency.

Schedule the less important tasks for when your energy is at the lowest, or in a dip.

2. Eliminate distractions:

You will remember one of my favourite tips: throwing your phone in the drawer. Social media and email won’t miss you for a couple of hours, I promise. These distractions pull us away from being in the moment while we’re on task.

New research reveals that the mere presence of the phones, emails and social media – even when they are turned off and we are consciously focusing our attention on another task – is enough to reduce our thinking capacity.

3. Take regular breaks:

Our brains can only focus for a certain amount of time before they need a break. Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help you to recharge, refresh the mind and increase focus. Take short breaks, whether that be a quick walk outside or a few minutes of stretching, throughout the day. If it feels like an interruption, change your mindset. A small, rejuvenating break will sharpen your mind, not break your focus.

My productive time is in the morning. I usually work for 90 minutes and take a break for 20 – 30 minutes before coming back to my desk for another 90 minutes. I do not look at my phone or my email or social media in my rest time as that will interrupt my thinking and my brain becomes active instead of resting. I like to read, go for a quick walk, I might even have a 15-minute noni nap.

My dip in my energy is in the afternoon and that is when I check my emails or do the tasks that do not require so much of my productivity or energy.

4. Get enough sleep:

Sleep is essential for our overall health, wellbeing and maintaining our energy levels, and being more focused and productive throughout the day. I am not very good at sleeping and I certainly notice my energy levels being very low if I have had a restless night with little sleep. The action point from there? Prioritising things to help me sleep better so the cycle of productivity can continue!

5. Exercise regularly:

Regular physical activity helps boost energy levels, improve mood, reduce stress, and increase focus and concentration. It is important you make time for regular exercise, whether that be a daily run, a yoga class, or a gym session. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

I have a daily regime of yoga and try to walk three times a week. I have also decided it is time to get back on my bike.

6. Eat Healthily:

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps provide the energy needed to maintain focus and concentration.

Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet and avoid foods high in sugar and fat. You’ve heard it before because it’s important stuff. Bad diet = bad energy. You know the rest.

7. Manage stress:

Being a human can be stressful! But high levels of stress can drain energy and negatively affect job performance. Stress zaps our energy levels causing physical and mental fatigue, and in turn it negatively affects our mood. There are a number of healthy ways to manage stress, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or exercise.

8. Surround yourself with positive people:

The people you surround yourself with can have a big impact on your energy levels. Certain people radiate positive energy, and others negative energy. These vibes become infectious – try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who will lift you up, rather than drain your energy.

These 8 things are not groundbreaking, nor are they unachievable. But they are difficult to achieve if we’re used to going about life in our usual way – not prioritising ourselves and hoping everything will be OK.

I encourage you to embrace the energy of a new year by looking after your own – energy that is. When you take care of yourself and manage your energy levels, you are able to work more efficiently and make better decisions. This can lead to increased productivity, improved performance, and better results for your business. That’s the kind of year I am sure we are all looking forward to enjoying.

Until next time,

Heather

A personal and professional “Leading with Energy” wizard, Heather is a one-stop-shop for creating a life of business by design. Accountability breeds success, but most people have little to no accountability in their lives. Heather can teach, support and hold you accountable to accomplish your objectives and goals – and have fun along the way. If you’re overworked, exhausted, and burnt out, you NEED to reach out to Heather through her private coaching and mentorship, Heather has helped many hard-working Professional Leaders and Business Founders get out of their personal and professional frustration roadblock, understand their energy and introduce the energy mastery into the business and organisation. Book your free Discovery Call today!