Written by: Asha Ghosh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Our often tricky relationship with productivity demands us to accomplish more and be on every minute of every day. To achieve this level of self-imposed productivity, we desperately search for life hacks and quick fixes, simultaneously haunted by the ghost of productivity paranoia. Yet this relentless pursuit seldom delivers the results we yearn for.
In contrast, have you ever considered giving your attention to your energy levels?
What would be different if rather than stuffing more tasks into your finite schedule you assessed what good looked like for that day? What would be different?
Consider the role of energisers and drainers in your life – what tasks, and people move you in to flow state or deplete you? This article shares why it's important to be more aware of your energy so you can be productive but for also for the maintenance of your wellbeing.
We are human – not machines
Understanding human energy dynamics requires acknowledging that our energy levels fluctuate daily.
OK why is that significant? Well our productivity expectations remain at a constant high no matter how energised we are. It results in us pushing ourselves to undertaking big strategic thinking after an insomniac night or after a day of back to back meetings trying to write a presentation. But we are pushing ourselves when we are depleted in energy.
So what's the solution?
Invest in your energy management
Begin to understand when your energy reservoirs are filled to the brim or when they are drying up. Tune into your body and mind signals and just notice are you energised today, or drained?
As a leadership coach I frequently see how our overexploitation of our energy thrusts clients into survival mode or worse burn out. I have witnessed how we miss the signs of burnout, assuming sleep, a quiet weekend or a holiday will replenish energy, I’ve a video of the myths of burnout and the reality of living in survival mode, which is where most of us languish on a day to day basis to help deepen understanding.
Energy Audit - This technique is empowering you to make intentional decisions each day, ramping up your effectiveness and productivity. How? By considering the role of ‘Energizers and Drainers’ in your life?
Think about people, environments, activities, situations… who or what energises and who drains?
Here are some key questions to help explore that more:
Did you have to push yourself today, because you didn’t have the emotional or physical energy to progress something?
How productive have you been today?
What drains today? (think people, task, experiences, situations, environments) How did your respond to being drained?
What do you notice about yourself when you are drained?
What energised you today? Who energised you today?
When are you energised (morning person, or evening)
What changes in you when you're energised? (how productive, satisfied, generative….)
What else were you able to do today, because of being energised?
What are you noticing?
With these answers in your armoury, you’re building a picture of your energy and what energises you and what depletes you.
Now what?
Good question, you have the awareness but how do you integrate energy management into your daily routine?
Awareness, so having the answers to the above questions offers opportunities to make conscious decisions about what is good for you and what isn’t. Build in moments to ask yourself – how is my energy? Then make decision to support yourself. It will never be perfect, there will always be times we need to push through things, but does it have to be every day of every week?
I’ve asked clients to identify triggers to when they ask themselves this question: making a drink, walking up stairs, before a meeting, washing hands are all things we do regularly – so take a moment to check in with yourself.
The benefits
Your physical energy can enhance your bodily health, mental energy and your emotional energy, the outcome of this support is you are more able to handle fluctuating moods and emotions, connecting you with healthy and unhealthy social relationships. But…you can only do that with greater awareness and that starts with the above questions.
Invest in noticing, and then managing your energy wisely, and transform your life phenomenally! I've seen people who overexploit their energy and are thrust you into survival mode and then are able to slowly take ownership of their energy and use it to their advantage, making it to a boundary for work and life.
Asha Ghosh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
My coaching programmes have already enabled senior professional women globally to unlock new levels of potential in themselves and their teams. Resulting in these professionals being able to lead, inspire and make bold decisions that not only support business objectives, but also allow leaders to find satisfaction within their home life, all underpinned by promoting a proactive approach to personal well-being.
