In a world where so many are tethered to the internet, portable technology, 24/7 demands, and the ongoing struggle to balance work and professional life, living with stress is the norm. Getting burned out is so easy. Your natural brilliance is blunted, much like the tarnish that builds up on silver over time.
Emerging from the pandemic and all of the shifts we’ve made in how we work and live over the past few years has taken its toll on individuals. The Great Resignation that is causing employees to leave their jobs is fueled by burnout, and is creating a fierce battle for talent, and a renewed focus on workplace well-being. Authors of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, Emily and Amelia Nagosi, define burnout as having three components: emotional exhaustion, lack of accomplishment, and depletion of empathy.
Burnout impacts your energy, mindset and life force, which have a direct impact on how you influence and inspire others, and how well you can tackle the challenges of the day. Here are my 5 top tips to managing my energy so I can let my brilliance shine!
1. Daily Check-ins
I like to start my day with tuning in to how my energy level is feeling at that moment. “How are you feeling today, honey?” is a sweet and loving way to start your inner dialogue instead of “Holy smokes, you have a lot to do today. Get going!” Tune in to your physical body to see if you’re feeling any contraction or heaviness. Be willing to adjust your schedule and your priorities so you can support your physical and emotional needs.
2. Respect Your Energy Cycle
Your energy goes in cycles. Sometimes you’ll be full of ideas and energy, just like the tide rushing in towards shore. Other days you’ll feel more quiet and inward, like your energy is ebbing out to the sea. Neither state is better or worse than the other. Become aware of the unique cycles of your own energy levels and plan your work to take best advantage of them.
If you’re feeling more introspective and inward, that could be a great time to journal, take a walk or get some extra rest. When you’re feeling a burst of energy, the surf is up! Grab your surfboard, clear your calendar for taking action, making calls or completing projects.
3. Change Your State
There are always those times when you just plain get stuck. Your energy isn’t feeling particularly buoyant or low, but just plain stopped. Writer’s block, lack of motivation, an inability to even care about what you need to do but you actually do need to take action – all of these situations call for a quick shift in your energy.
The best way to get yourself out of an energetic doldrum is to change your physical state. Do 10 jumping jacks, go outside for a walk, shake it off with Taylor Swift or your fav song with a beat – all of these kinesthetic activities help to break you out of energetic lockdown.
4. Be Strategic with Your Scheduling
Once you get wise to the patterns of your energy cycles, be strategic in how you schedule your time. If you know you have a lot of creative energy in the morning, block that time off for writing, developing products or creating relationships. When your energy feels a bit on the wane, that can be a great time for clutter-busting, handling chores that are more rote and don’t require a lot of brainpower, or settling in for some introspection and self-care.
Respect your energy flow and work with it, rather than trying to force-fit it into your pre-existing agenda. Be willing to shift. Letting yourself have that 20 minute cat nap is going to be far more supportive of your success than spending the day wishing you weren’t so tired, or judging yourself for not having enough discipline. Listen to your own inner signals about what can support your energy.
5. Watch the World With Wonder
A fantastic way to fuel your energy reserves is through appreciation and gratitude. The world is full of wonderful moments that can break open a smile and lift your heart in joy. Here are a few from my life just this past week:
- I delighted in seeing a puppy play with a patient elderly dog outside the school yard
- I laughed out loud as I saw a bushy squirrel clutching and nibbling on a crab apple
- I felt deep appreciation for the way one street in our neighborhood has banded together to erect a small army of inflatable Santa Claus figures in time for the holiday
These moments of wonder can be easy to miss if you’re not looking for them. Celebrate your wins and appreciate those around you.
