10 Easy Strategies To Revitalize Your Energy
Posted by Karen Cross on: 2005-07-11 22:07:11
social activities, etc., finding the energy to keep up with all
your commitments can be exhausting. Everything feels like it
needs your attention now. You’ve got so much going on in your
life that it’s just one great big juggling act. Getting things
under control will require energy you simply don’t have. There
just isn’t any more left to give.
Energy is a precious commodity that when spread too thin leaves
people feeling drained, overwhelmed, and stressed. When there’s
too much going on in your life, I call that clutter. Clutter
happens when people try to put everything at the top of their
priority list and then try to give everything equal and immediate
attention. It’s like throwing a whole bunch of tennis balls up
in the air and then running around frantically trying to keep
them all up there. Of course, this is impossible! The end
result… Half finished projects, burnout, not enough rest,
illness, lack of focus, lack of direction, feeling stuck, etc.
So how do you get more energy to be able to handle everything?
You don’t.
That’s right, you don’t!
The truth is, you only have so much energy. Once it’s used up,
that’s it, there’s no more! The trick is to manage your energy
more effectively. To do this, start to implement these easy and
simple strategies:
1) Tune in to yourself – Start to pay attention to the messages
you send yourself. Are you telling yourself that you should be
able to multi-task and get everything done? Do you criticize
yourself if you don’t get everything done? It is important to
shift these internal messages and give yourself permission to let
things go.
2) Set priorities – Setting priorities is about asking yourself
2 questions: 1) what absolutely needs my attention right now, and
2) what do I need to let go of? In asking yourself these
questions, you will make choices that will conserve your energy.
Determine what your top 5 priorities are and stay focused on
these.
3) Schedule “you time” – “You time” is a period of time in the
day when you do something for yourself. During this time, you’re
not answering the phone, checking email, answering the door,
listening to messages, responding to any demands of any kind,
etc. It could be a block of 15 minutes or it could be an hour.
It doesn’t matter. Just as long as you make a commitment to
yourself that during that time, you are doing something for you
(going for a walk, listening to calming music, closing your eyes,
enjoying a cup of tea, reading a good book…).
4) Breathe – This may seem rather obvious as people are
required to breathe. However, when people are in chaos,
breathing becomes shallow and rapid. To slow yourself down,
remember to breathe deeply. Take a couple minutes on a frequent
basis during each day to take some good deep breaths.
5) Delegate – Giving some of your responsibilities to someone
else or getting help with aspects of a project will free up some
of your time and energy that can be used elsewhere (perhaps a
little “you time”?). It is very easy to fall into the trap of
“I’m the only one who knows how to do this” or “If I delegate
this to someone else it may not get done right” and so on.
Letting go of these beliefs and trusting in the abilities of
others will enhance your energy.
6) Script your day – Just after you wake up in the morning stay
in bed and take a couple moments to script how you want to feel
as you go through your day. Simply say to yourself: “I want to
feel calm” or “I want to feel energetic”. Initially you may not
notice any difference, but keep it up and you will start to
notice that you can decide how you want to feel as you go through
your day instead of simply reacting.
7) Create systems to get organized – A system is any technique
or procedure that you can implement to make better use of your
time and energy. For example, a filing system for bills and
other important documents makes them easier to find; keeping work
clothes separate from casual clothes in your closet makes getting
dressed a snap, and so on. Find creative ways to use systems in
your day-to-day living that increases efficiency.
8) Set boundaries and say no – Choosing to say no will help you
to stay focused on your top priorities. Always saying yes means
you end up taking on more and more. Becoming comfortable with
saying no will allow you to finish what you’ve already started
and give you the freedom to choose what you will and will not
take on.
9) Know your intentions – Before you take on something new, ask
yourself how it will serve you to participate in that
activity/project. If it doesn’t serve you at all or doesn’t
serve you well, then it doesn’t meet your intention.
10) Eliminate energy drains – What are you tolerating or putting
up with in your life that is utilizing energy. If you got rid of
this energy drain, you would be able to use that energy for
something else. Examine your relationships, environment, work,
etc. and work on eliminating those things that drain you.
By practicing these strategies, you will be able to manage your
energy, which will reduce your exhaustion and stress levels. You
will be in control of your life, instead of your life being in
control of you.
About the Author
Karen Cross, BSW is a life and career coach and founder of
Pathfinder Solutions (http://www.pathfindersolutions.ca). For 10 years she has coached people in the areas of personal and career transitions, creating balance, and finding greater passion in work and life. For a free copy of her “10 Ways to Bring Meaning to Your Life” special report, call (250) 714-0996 (pacific).