Energy Management
In a team meeting the other day, our ice breaker was answering a random question and the question I got was “what is the best thing about remote work?” My initial answer was “EVERYTHING.” The answer that I settled on was that it gives me the opportunity to actually manage my energy throughout the day. Energy management is incredibly important for leaders, regardless of whether you are in-person, remote, or hybrid.
Energy management is the act of controlling and reducing the energy that is being used, which sounds technical, but it is something that we engage in all the time. When we block our calendar, or accept a meeting, or stay on a little later, or skip lunch, or take on an additional project, we are engaging in a form of energy management. Oftentimes, that form of energy management is the LACK of management. What if we looked at our day differently? What could change for us if we respect the slumps that come throughout the day and find our productive times and zones of energy?
We have a lot of opportunities throughout the day for our energy to be zapped or replenished. When we engage in energy management, we cannot control everything, but we can certainly make a positive impact in our work life.
Before I jump into different ways that we can positively manage energy, it’s valuable to know how energy depletion shows up for us. Depletion looks different for each person, but there are some general characteristics that you can explore for yourself.
Your physical energy is one of the more obvious ways that depleted or mismanaged energy shows up. It is also one of the easiest to resolve. You burn calories throughout the day from activity - both physical and mental activity. Many professionals will grab a cup of coffee in the morning, potentially skip lunch, and then experience a huge dip in the afternoon. You do not need to eat all day, but bringing along little snacks and water, as well as ensuring that you eat regular meals, will help you to avoid this unnecessary loss of energy. You can also leave your desk and walk away for a few minutes – easy movement can wake your body back up and help shake up the energy in your body.
Our mental energy is equally as important as our physical energy. There are many situations that drain us throughout the day – it is valuable for you to understand these situations so you can prepare yourself. I am a person who is very drained by a lot of social interaction, so I know that before that happens, I need to spend some time alone so I can recharge or be sure that I will have time to recharge right after. I don’t need hours or days to recharge - the acknowledgment that I need to take that time is what allows me to appropriately manage my energy in those situations.
When do you find that your energy is the most depleted? Is it after a meeting with one person? Or a meeting with many people? Are there dips in energy throughout the day, or is there a time when you feel like you just don’t have it in you anymore? These are all signs of depleted or mismanaged energy.
Tools For Energy Management
Meditation. Taking a few minutes to calm your mind and slow your breathing has a myriad of benefits - both for your wellness and your energy.
Routine. There are certain routines, like a morning or evening routine, that can help you manage your energy throughout the entire day. The saying “win the morning, win the day” is a great way to start building a morning routine where you can accomplish certain tasks or perform certain habits that will provide energy that lasts throughout your day.
Sleep. A lot of studies have pointed to sleep being a cornerstone of overall success and wellness. Sleep deprivation as a badge of honor is a thing of the past. People need sleep - to focus, to manage energy, to maintain health, and for overall wellness.
Purpose. It is amazing how much energy you will have when you are driven by purpose. More specifically, when you are driven by your own purpose, your reason for driving forward, you will find that you have remarkable stores of energy.
Take Some Time. When you have the opportunity to take a respite, even if it is just 5 minutes, do it. The opportunity to recharge and take some deep, quiet breaths, or to take a quiet walk around the building, can do amazing things for your energy throughout the day.
Understand your energy zones throughout the day. Keep track of how your energy ebbs and flows over the course of two to four weeks. You can use that information to find times when you need to eat, take a break, and schedule different types of work (focused work or one-on-one meetings).
Energy management does not require a lot of time and resources, but it is something that impacts your productivity and how you show up. When we have the opportunity to impact how we show up for ourselves and others, we should invest in it.