Random Thoughts on Energy— Mar. 14, 2023
In a world where we obsess over our phone batteries, it’s funny how little we think about our own energy levels.
Something Cool I Saw Today…
Thoughts…
I’m guilty of not making that connection. Last year, I found myself remarking on how tired I was, especially after work or at times when I aimed to dedicate myself to my goals. However, not once did I really sit there and think, “Why am I so tired?” or “Why do I feel this way?”
That is until I came across Make Time — a book that looks deeply at ways to optimize your life for energy and focus. While the book is chock-full of great frameworks and tactics, the three tactics that stood out to me were:
Walking/Movement/Exercise
Optimizing caffeine & sleep
Going Headphone Free
Thinking through these three, if I had to choose the one that’s made the single-largest impact on my daily energy levels, it would definitely be daily walks. On the surface, a simple walk around the block might not seem like a lot but even 10 to 15 minutes can be enough to clear your mind and recharge. Personally, I find it great for gaining the clarity necessary to focus on my priorities for the day, which is why I make it one of the first things I do in the morning. I’m also able to take this to the next level by doing some form of exercise almost every day.
As for going headphone-free and caffeinated naps, I’ve been able to employ these two throughout my routines to take a break away from the clutter that our digital habits/devices can produce.
While there are plenty of routines that I can revisit, this year has been important in finding the habits that not only align with my goals but re-energize me.
My challenge to you is to read Make Time (if you don’t have the book, this is a great summary) and take a least three tips and implement them over the next three months and see if your energy, mood, and productivity levels change for the better.
Tying everything together, here’s a quote from Ben Franklin:
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Links…
SHORT 4 Ways To Manage Your Energy And Have A Balanced, Productive Workday
What if we thought of ourselves and our bodies more like actual batteries? That’s exactly the premise of this Trello article, which highlights the importance of managing our energy by incorporating activities that ‘charge’ us and recognizing those that deplete us (and the rates that they do). Outside of being based on some of the research explored in the larger article below, I do think it’s a novel way to think about how we manage our energy levels.
…
LONG Not about that Burnout Life? Try this.
There are not many Harvard Business Review articles that I read and don’t feel compelled to share (this one is no exception to that rule). As workloads and work demands keep rising, many people are pushed to the brink of burnout, but as HBR outlines, the key to getting more done faster and better is to increase our energy capacity. Several of the strategies explored are not just anecdotal but backed up by results in studies.
A Picture…
Photo from Johny Goerend
Hope you enjoyed everything here. If you’d like to get this sent to your inbox, you can subscribe here. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates on my 12 habits in 12 months challenge. I’ve wrapped up meditation and have tried chatting with strangers daily.
As always, I’m always looking for better ways to do things, so let me know your thoughts. In the meantime…
Live, Laugh, and Learn.
Bas
P.S. Want more tips/advice on how to live your best life? You can listen to my podcast, “So I Was Thinking,” or join my fortnightly “Random Thoughts” newsletter (max 10 mins out of your day). Don’t forget to share this article if you found it helpful.