Written by: Vanina Pitsch, 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.
Have you ever felt depleted after a long work week? Or completely exhausted after a day at work even though you didn’t finish everything you had set out on accomplishing?
While most of us are aware that taking breaks is good for our health, we often won’t make the time for it. Subconsciously, we may believe that we won’t get the work done or that we’ll somehow get behind if we take a few breaks. And while taking breaks is certainly healthy, the way we choose to work is equally important. So let’s take a closer look at what it means to manage your energy at work!
Note that this article is not about general well-being practices but rather about using energy as a resource and understanding how it can increase your productivity if you use it to your advantage!
If you work or have worked for an organization, you will know that increasing productivity is a priority, while ensuring that employees feel engaged, motivated and well. In order to increase productivity, organizations often offer training on the topics of time management, priority management, and change management – just to name a few. While these topics and concepts are important, I believe that learning about what energizes you and how you can replenish yourself is a crucial piece of the puzzle in order to increase your productivity & maintain high energy levels throughout the day!
I’m not the only one who believes in the power of energy management in the workplace: in a study to measure how energy renewal programs boosted productivity at Wachovia, “seventy-one percent said that it had a noticeable or substantial positive impact on their productivity and performance.”
Here are some ways in which you can better harness your energy in order to improve your output at work and feel better at the end of the day:
1. Increase your energy level on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level
Find out what depletes your energy
If you’re unsure what takes your energy away during your work day, you can start journaling and recording the types of tasks that you do throughout the day and how much energy you spend on these types of tasks. After some time, you might begin to notice a pattern with which tasks feel more tedious for you and find better ways to approach them so they don’t drain your energy as much.
Measure your energy levels throughout the day
In order to become more aware of your energy levels throughout the day, create a scale from 1 to 10 and add the emotions associated to that number on the scale (e.g: exhausted could be a 3 and depleted a 1). This can be a tool that you use as a guiding principle for what kind of tasks you take on and when.
Know what energizes you
Take some time to find out what helps you fill up your cup on a day-to-day basis. For instance, you can ask yourself the following questions:
What types of foods do I need to eat to feel my best?
Do I drink enough water?
What type of physical activity do I need to do to feel energized?
When do I need to take a break and do I take enough breaks during my day?
Am I listening to my body and removing accumulated tensions?
2. Manage your priorities based on your energy level
Understand your natural abilities & preferences and the types of activities that require more energy from you
On top of the journaling exercise mentioned above, you can do a psychometric test to find out your natural preferences. The SuccessFinder assessment is a great tool for that.
Plan your week based on the time & energy you have to complete a specific task at work
Planning for your week ahead of time is important if you want to get a head start on your priorities for the week. For example, you can do so on a Friday afternoon and revise your plan at the beginning of your work week based on how much energy you have. Some ways in which you can plan your week could include blocking off time and color coding your tasks in your calendar.
Know when to delegate tasks to others
Sometimes it’s good to ask others for help, especially when you know it will take you some significant effort to get a specific task done and that someone else might be more adept at handling it.
3. Lead yourself based on your level of energy & enhance team collaboration
Check in with yourself regularly
Every day is different, so you can ask yourself this question: How do I feel and what do I need to perform at my best today?
Reduce the decisions you need to make on a day-to-day basis
Decision fatigue is real! It can be helpful to think ahead about details such as what you are going to wear and eat the next day. You can also have your personal to-do-list ready ahead of time.
Collaborate with your team members based on everyone’s energy level & peak performance preferences
In order for everyone to show up as their best selves at work, you can encourage your team members to also identify what energizes them and how you can best collaborate together.
Conclusion
While it’s good to be proactive and plan for the week to come, remember that your energy levels and priorities for the day may change. As long as you stay aware of how you’re feeling and adapt to the situation accordingly, you will be able to maneuver as graciously as you can throughout the week. Tomorrow is always another day for you to start fresh!
To get some support in increasing your energy level, I would be happy to connect with you. You just need to book a free clarity call with me via this link.
For information about my services, visit my website. For more content and inspiration, you can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Vanina Pitsch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Vanina Pitsch, PPCC, CHRP is a dynamic leadership and embodiment coach dedicated to empowering leaders to navigate the ever-changing landscape of today's world. With a passion for guiding individuals through transformational journeys, she empowers them to harness the power of their voice and inspire confidence in those around them. Through her coaching, Vanina ignites a profound sense of purpose and resilience, guiding leaders to unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact in their organizations and beyond.
Drawing on over a decade of experience as a human resources professional, Vanina specializes in leadership and talent development. Her expertise lies in fostering authentic leadership, enabling individuals to thrive amidst uncertainty and drive impactful change.
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