Use Your Energy Wisely (or, Don't Write When You Should Be Filing)
As a working mom, I do a lot of different things during the day.
Some of them -- such as "Director of Innovative Ideas" or "Manager of Difficult Situations" -- require a lot of energy. Others -- like "Sandwich Maker" or "Routine Memo Writer" -- are far less taxing.
Some of them -- such as "Director of Innovative Ideas" or "Manager of Difficult Situations" -- require a lot of energy. Others -- like "Sandwich Maker" or "Routine Memo Writer" -- are far less taxing.
I'd love to have the right kind of energy available at the right time. I'm working on this, and here are some of my ideas.
Most of us
have energy levels that vary wildly throughout the day. There are times
and situations when we feel creative, energetic, productive, happy, or
persistent, and there are times when we feel sapped, irritable, lazy,
or defeated.
When we try to do something that
requires a lot of energy during a time of day that we feel drained, it
doesn't go so well. For me, this would be like trying to write an
article at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. Really I should be filing, or talking to someone I like, or just staring out the window.
Conversely,
if I use my most creative time to make appointments or pay the company
bills, I've wasted a great opportunity to move a step ahead with my
goals that require a lot of thinking.
The good news is that most of us have a fairly predictable energy pattern during the day. For example:
- I know that 5:30 a.m. is technically a time, but it's not one that I personally choose to experience.
- If I work after 9:30 p.m., then I have a hard time getting to sleep.
- I love to walk my dog briefly in the middle of the day.
- I pray that my kids' big emotional issues will occur between 4 and 4:15 pm on weekdays (or any time on the weekend!)
Which
brings me to the bad news: Our energy cycles may be predictable, but
there are a lot of situations in our day that aren't. We get the irate
customer call when we're feeling exhausted. We have the great idea
about a new product line at midnight, keeping us fired up into the wee
hours.
When we recognize and understand our energy
sources and cycles, we have a lot more control over our productivity
and how we feel during the day. With this awareness we can plan ahead
to match what we do to the energy available to us.
If we practice this often enough, we'll feel better during those times that really test us. This is because we'll have an overall experience of feeling “in tune” with ourselves.
If we practice this often enough, we'll feel better during those times that really test us. This is because we'll have an overall experience of feeling “in tune” with ourselves.
Here are five essential steps to using your energy wisely:
1.) Identify your daily energy cycles.
On a blank daily calendar sheet, write down how you tend to feel during different times of day. At 6 a.m., do you feel tired? Peaceful? Calm? Excited? Describe your energy throughout the day. Note the swells and the dips. If you know that your energy shifts differently on different days of the week, write down a page for each of those different days.
On a blank daily calendar sheet, write down how you tend to feel during different times of day. At 6 a.m., do you feel tired? Peaceful? Calm? Excited? Describe your energy throughout the day. Note the swells and the dips. If you know that your energy shifts differently on different days of the week, write down a page for each of those different days.
2.) List your energy requirements.
Write down what you do during a typical day and what kind of energy it requires. Use a number scale from one to 10 to rate how much energy you use during each activity. Each of us is unique. If making the kids' lunches is a seven out of 10 for you, be honest. Does helping out with homework tax you? Are the staff meetings you run pretty routine?
Write down what you do during a typical day and what kind of energy it requires. Use a number scale from one to 10 to rate how much energy you use during each activity. Each of us is unique. If making the kids' lunches is a seven out of 10 for you, be honest. Does helping out with homework tax you? Are the staff meetings you run pretty routine?
3.) Match tasks to available energy.
Look at your blank calendar sheet, your list of energy requirements, and your current calendar system. How well does your typical schedule make the most of your available energy? Where are the big discrepancies? What can you shift to make a better match between energy required and energy available? This step might require conversations with the other members of your household or your staff, co-workers or manager at work.
Look at your blank calendar sheet, your list of energy requirements, and your current calendar system. How well does your typical schedule make the most of your available energy? Where are the big discrepancies? What can you shift to make a better match between energy required and energy available? This step might require conversations with the other members of your household or your staff, co-workers or manager at work.
4.) Create a list of energy boosters.
Write down at least 10 things you can do quickly that you know will give you a boost of energy. You might do a few yoga poses, read the comics, call your partner, or pet your cat.
Post your list and turn to it during those times that you need to press on, even though your energy is flagging. It's easy to create the list; it's using it that will take practice. Allow yourself a month of concentrated effort to make this a habit.
Write down at least 10 things you can do quickly that you know will give you a boost of energy. You might do a few yoga poses, read the comics, call your partner, or pet your cat.
Post your list and turn to it during those times that you need to press on, even though your energy is flagging. It's easy to create the list; it's using it that will take practice. Allow yourself a month of concentrated effort to make this a habit.
5.) Make transformational changes.
All of this work leads to much more than adjustments in your calendar! You've prepared yourself to make bold decisions about which energy sappers stay and which go away. What will you delegate or get rid of that will make a big difference in how you feel at home or at work?
You're also in a great position to make room for energy boosters. What gives you energy? It might be time alone, exercise, time with friends, or working in a job you really enjoy. What will you add that will make a huge difference in how you feel?
All of this work leads to much more than adjustments in your calendar! You've prepared yourself to make bold decisions about which energy sappers stay and which go away. What will you delegate or get rid of that will make a big difference in how you feel at home or at work?
You're also in a great position to make room for energy boosters. What gives you energy? It might be time alone, exercise, time with friends, or working in a job you really enjoy. What will you add that will make a huge difference in how you feel?
It's tempting to attack our lengthy task
lists as quickly and machine-like as possible, ignoring our energy
levels. But when we approach our days with knowledge of our own
rhythms and preferences in mind, there is much more room in our lives
for ease, peace and happiness.
Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com
cross-posted at Work It, Mom
Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com
cross-posted at Work It, Mom
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