When we think about what it takes to be successful; we tend to think about things that are not always directly within our control e.g. money, opportunity, contacts, luck etc. It is easy to forget about the things we control. Your personal energy levels are crucial to your success. You may have a dream and a very well thought out plan; you may have opportunity, money luck etc. but if you do not have the energy to take the action that you need to take, on a consistent basis, you are going to struggle to achieve your objectives. It’s like turning on your light switch, but there’s no connection. You will still be in the dark.
Many people have extremely high energy levels and maintain them to get things done. This is not just luck or genetics. These people live a lifestyle which is conducive to maintaining high energy levels. They put self-care at the top of their priority list because that is how you maintain the energy to conduct your daily business; you take the best care possible of yourself.
Core competencies of energy management
If you want to profit from your energy, you need to ensure that you have the energy you need, as and when you need it. There are many different strategies for managing your energy but they all fall into one of the following core groups:
1. Make the right choices
Everything that you do has an impact on your energy levels. It either helps you increase your energy or it uses up your energy. The degree to which they impact you varies. Some things completely drain you of your energy and they do so rapidly. These tend to be things you don’t enjoy. Others, can quickly boost your energy; these tend to be things you enjoy. Most activities however, fall in between and have a subtler impact. Simply knowing what energises you and what fatigues you will help you to make smarter choices.
If you neglect yourself by making poor choices and engage in activities that drain your energy and bring you down mentally and physically or; if your energy levels are rock bottom or, close to it, it doesn’t matter what activity you need to undertake, how important it is or how much you wan’t to do; it is going to be a struggle to get it done.
By the way, people have the same impact as tasks i.e. some drain you of energy and some help restore your energy. Therefore, they should be treated in the same manner as tasks.
2. Allow time for recovery
Your energy levels ebb and flow throughout the day. You don’t have an endless supply of high energy. When you work on an important task or a difficult task, you will usually find that upon completion of the task; your energy levels have dipped significantly.
Even if you are performing ‘easy’ work, the cumulative effect of the work will take a toll on your energy levels. This, added to the natural cycles of your body and mind, means that no matter how hard you try to fight it, you will experience periods of low energy.
You need to take time to recharge your energy throughout the day. Taking a few minutes out here and there; along with some larger breaks e.g. lunch; allows your body to recover naturally from the challenges of the day. You can then return to work refreshed and reenergised. Getting enough sleep, exercise and adhering to a healthy diet plan will also help your energy flow and create positive flow in your life.
Your energy level is directly connected to several parts of your life, including your mind, body, work and relationships. Each area of your life is like a battery which needs to recharged so that you can utilise it and enjoy it to its full capacity. It’s like maintaining your car. You will get a higher quality of performance for longer periods of time if, you perform regular maintenance.
3. Be mindful of your energy needs
Awareness is the greatest force behind all change. When you become fully aware of what you need and why you need it; you are more likely to make successful changes. Have you ever known a smoker who struggled to quit for years? Suddenly, they experience some ill health and they become fully aware of the fact that all of those health warnings were genuine. Now, quitting smoking becomes a more realistic goal.
The same approach can help you with your energy management. You don’t have to wait for something to go wrong. You just need to make the effort to become more mindful of the amount of energy that you need to perform your work and achieve your goals. As you become more aware of just how much energy is required; you are more likely to make conscious choices which benefit your energy management efforts.
Most people have to learn to make deliberate choices that will help them maintain high energy levels. This is easier when they are mindful of how much energy it will take to perform a task. Everything you do throughout the day makes a difference in your energy.
Energy, or lack thereof, can affect your perception, emotions and – in the end – how successful you are with any plan or effort that you pursue. For example:
The lower your energy levels are; the less likely you are to be able to deal with the pressures and demands of pursuing these goals.
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Conclusion
Personal energy levels are directly related to the capacity you have to respond to challenges and situations in your life. When you have high energy levels, it can seem very easy to respond to any challenge you may face. However, if you your energy reserves are low; it can be a real struggle to respond to even the smallest problem. Your energy levels impact on every aspect of your life so, take the time to make the right choices; allow time for recovery and be mindful of your energy needs. If you make these 3 core competencies of energy management part of your daily routine, you will see big improvements in the results you achieve.