As a leader how are you feeling about 2023? How can you show up as the best version of yourself more often than not? To lead well you need to be able to work out how to look after yourself. One of the keys to being at your best is to understand how to manage your energy. Two simple questions will help you start to manage your energy.
What are the tasks or people who tend to drain you?
What tasks and people do you find give you energy?
“Your ultimate goal in life is to become your best self. Your immediate goal is to get on the path that will lead you there.” — David Viscott
Being on the right path to give you energy is critical. When you think about your role and the things you are doing at the moment, are you in a place of energy or are you depleted?
To get a different outcome you need to change something. So, what will you change? Your energy or lack of it will determine how well you are able to lead.
When conducting some research for my book one of the questions I asked of leaders was what they wished they had known at the beginning of their leadership journey. One leader said:
“Looking after myself as a leader – when I am in a good place, I am a better leader.”
Five factors that Increase Your Energy
Enjoyment
When you enjoy doing something or being with people then your energy levels will rise. Enjoyment is a key part of having energy. The surprising part is realising that you don’t need a lot of enjoyment in your work to significantly increase your resilience.
Research done by the Mayo clinic indicates that if just 20% of your working week is invigorating (gives you joy, energy) then burn out goes well down.
How much are you enjoying your work?
Passion is key. When you are passionate about what you do then your enjoyment goes up. Is your role or job aligned with your passion?
Exercise/Diet/Sleep
In the interests of full disclosure this is a work in progress for me. Exercise whatever it looks like for you will increase your energy. This may not be apparent in the early stages but keep at it. What you eat has a significant effect on your energy. Think about not only what you eat but when you eat. If you can, stop what you are doing and then eat, don’t eat on the run.
Sleep is crucial. It is interesting that you can live longer without food than you can with total sleep deprivation.
Knowing what drains you
Think about what drains you. If you are running a small business, it may not be possible to delegate away tasks you find draining. This will need to be offset by doing other things perhaps outside of work that will give you energy. Certain people can be draining, again make sure you minimise this as much as possible and spend time with people who lift you up.
Knowing what energises you
What is it that you do or have done that gives you energy? Some of what you do needs to give you energy. If it doesn’t then it will not be sustainable.
Mental well-being
Mental well-being has been very much at the forefront in the news and conversation of late. Which places lift your spirit? When we are drained for a long period of time you need to remember that it will mean doing more energising activities than usual to rebalance. Getting rest and changing scenery will help so look to take small breaks during your day. It is surprising what fresh perspective this can give you as you return to it.
All of the above requires intentionality and coaching is an excellent way of getting clarity to know how you can be resilient as a leader. To find out more drop me a message at mark@smartculture.uk
Photo by Nghia Le on Unsplash
