Understanding and managing energy
My journey begins with a comprehension of energy management. The book explains that we have four types of energy—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—that all need conscious nurturing. Following their advice, I started keeping track of my energy levels throughout the day and noting activities that either increased or decreased them.
Physical Energy Draining
I discovered a paradox: being chained to my desk all day was an energy drainer. To my surprise, sitting all day left me too fatigued to interact with my family after work, an experience that the authors also shared. They argue that our bodies were designed for regular movement and that extended periods of sitting can lead to decreased circulation and a lower metabolism, contributing to fatigue. This realization inspired me to incorporate a standing desk into my daily routine, particularly for meetings and simpler tasks. This small but impactful change led to a noticeable decrease in my post-work exhaustion, enabling me to engage with my family in the evenings with renewed vigor.
Emotional Energy Draining
My younger child's frequent tantrums posed a significant challenge, resulting in an exhausting mix of anger, sadness, and fatigue for both of us. Recognizing this as a damaging cycle that needed to be addressed, I had a heart-to-heart discussion with my child about the negative impact of these outbursts. His understanding and the subsequent decrease in tantrums improved our emotional energy and our overall moods throughout the week.
Mental Energy Draining
Work stress presented itself as a major energy drain. The ebb and flow of my workload, which could vary significantly from season to season, created constant shifts between periods of high and low stress. However, I took this challenge head-on and implemented clear goal-setting and task prioritization strategies. The result was a significant reduction in my mental exhaustion, underscoring the power of effective task management and goal-setting strategies.
Spiritual Energy Draining
I noticed a decline in spiritual energy whenever a work project stagnated. To counteract this, I turned to new hobbies—videography, photography, and cooking—that helped rejuvenate my spiritual energy. These pursuits were more than mere distractions. They sparked my creativity, revived my spirit, and served as a reminder that fulfillment could come from sources outside of my professional life.
A crucial takeaway from this journey is the importance of diligently monitoring your energy patterns and identifying activities that drain or replenish your energy. It's about maintaining a balance that suits your unique needs.
Strategies for Balancing Energy Expenditure and Restoration
As move towards discussing strategies for balancing energy expenditure and restoration, a fundamental truth surfaces.
- Balancing Energy Expenditure and Restoration
- Implementing Energy-Boosting Habits
- Embracing Full Engagement
Much like how a muscle strengthens when stress is alternated with rest, our energy too needs a balance between expenditure and restoration. Bearing this in mind, I introduced exercise breaks during lunchtime and a brief afternoon walk into my routine. These small restorative moments significantly improved my overall energy levels.
In alignment with the concept of energy-boosting habits proposed by Loehr and Schwartz, I introduced several habits into my daily life. These included starting the day with a nutritious breakfast filled with fruits and vegetables, walking the kids to school, maintaining a consistent exercise routine, and ending the day with a calming pre-bedtime ritual.
One of the most powerful concepts that the book introduced was the idea of "full engagement"—being entirely present in any task, whether professional or personal. This mindset has been transformative for my professional life, particularly with the shift to remote work. For example, I discovered that I was far more productive and clear-headed during meetings when I focused solely on the ongoing discussion rather than getting distracted by thoughts about the next task. I applied this principle of full engagement during my family vacations as well, deciding to leave my work phone behind and dedicating my complete attention to my children. The result was a richer and more meaningful connection with my family.
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