It’s Energy You Need
I think we all have said it – if there were only more time, I could get more done. Well, the truth is there are only 24 hours in a day, every day, 365 days a year. You’re never going to get “more time” but you can get more done if you have more energy. When you push yourself past your limit because it just has to get done, all too often the result is less than our best. Of course, some of us are natural procrastinators. That is a completely different issue than what I am describing. If you are the type of person who works as hard as possible but still don’t seem able to keep up, then there may be other things causing the problem.
Rest and Recover
If you work until you drop, most likely you aren’t giving your body a change to rest and recover. Many parents live this way day in and out. They have their our jobs and then they have to care for their children and are subjected to not only their own schedules but the crazy schedules that come with children in activities. Instead of trying to push yourself to the limit, find the time to replenish yourself. Schedule a time where you can meditate or journal. Anything that relaxes your mind and allows for free thoughts to flow. Permit the “demons” in your head to escape and replace them with thoughts of gratitude and contentment for the moment. It may only be 15 minutes but it will allow your mind to slow down and recover. In that time you may also come to realize that the “urgent” thing you had to do isn’t really all that important. It just creeped into the list with the other things and you just didn’t let it go.
Balance and Reflect
Not everything is of equal importance, that’s why time to plan and reflect are critical. Instead of charging into your day to try to accomplish everything, take time to plan out your day. You might be the person who plans out a whole week in advance. But if you’re not experienced with planning, take one step at a time. Try taking a half hour the night before a busy day and plan out what needs to be done and prioritize the list. Most of all plan time for you to fuel yourself properly. Skipping meals or fast food drive through pick-ups will only bring you crashing down later. You need to make time to have time. Make time to eat well and your body will reward you with the energy it needs to sustain the work to be done. Balance the need to get things done with the need to do the right things for the right reason. We eat to fuel our bodies to work well. If you don’t provide the right fuel, your engine will burn out.
Do What Energizes You
If you are in an unrewarding job or unhappy relationship, your energy will wane. Drastic changes may not be the answer, especially without thought or planning. But doing something that energizes you will bring back the life in your life. Think about what you do each week that energizes you. Are you always “doing” for everyone else and not giving back to yourself? You need to plan to have fun, to laugh, to enjoy life. It’s not going to happen on its own. It requires you to actively think about making the time for something that excites you, that will energize you so that you have the energy you need to do all of the other things required of you. Take a few minutes every day to think about what you are doing during your work day – is it sapping the life out of you? There’s the source of your energy drain. What can you do that will give you the boost even if it’s only for a short period? Take a walk, do some stretching, listen to some affirmations – anything to change the pace and revitalize you.
Rejuvenate
As important as food (or maybe more important than), sleep is necessary for energy. Just as important as it is to provide the right food for fuel, we need to allow our bodies to rest and recover. Getting 7-8 hours of nightly rest, regular family meals and physical activity is the fundamentals for energy. This combination along with a day filled with the type of activities that bring joy, provide meaningful experiences and bring a sense of fulfillment that isn’t bounded by time will provide the energy we need to succeed.
It’s not time that you need. It’s a life of intention. “”Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” ~ Confucius
Photo Credit: Alan Cleaver
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