How to manage your energy better
Monday 19 December 2005
Why manage your energy rather than time?
Because, according to Loehr and Schwartz “energy not time is the fundamental currency of
high performance.”
To perform at a high level, you need to be:

fully engaged

physically energised

emotionally connected

mentally focused

spiritually aligned.
Old paradigm







manage time better
avoid or manage stress
learn techniques for keeping going
sacrifice
avoid downtime
practise self-discipline
think positively
The Yerkes-Dodson Law
New paradigm







manage energy
seek stress
see life and work as a series of sprints
take advantage of downtime
develop purpose inside and outside work
develop rituals
become fully engaged
As stress increases,
performance
improves, but only
to a point.
Zone of peak
performance
Performance/
well-being
Low arousal leads to
poor performance,
boredom and lethargy
Arousal too high leads
to poor performance,
panic and distress
The trick is to engage periods of high energy that challenge us and then follow these with
periods of energy renewal. During periods of high energy we are able to perform at our
best.
Becoming spiritually aligned: get clear on values
1. Use Eric Fromm’s formula
Instead of:

Have enough so that you can…

Do what you want because then you can…

Be happy.
Try:

Be who you are: know your strengths and weaknesses.

Do what you love.

Have what you need.
2. Try the Archangel activity
Which would you rather lose?
Your sight through an accident
Your hearing through an accident
Your family through an accident
Your mobility through loss of your legs
Your closest friends other than your family
Your freedom through being imprisoned for 10 years
Your sense of purpose in life forever
Your current job
Your savings
Your home or where you live
Your reputation in the eyes of the public
Your self-confidence or self-esteem
All your personal belongings through a burglary
Becoming physically energised
Our physical energy levels are determined by our:

breathing patterns

eating—what and when

sleep quality and quantity

recovery cycles throughout the day

fitness levels.
Becoming emotionally connected

developing high levels of emotional intelligence: self-awareness and managing
relationships with others

developing healthy relationships

tackling issues of insecurity, and low self esteem
Becoming mentally focused

develop realistic optimism: re-cast threats as opportunities

set aside time to think

realise that your brain gets sharper the more it is used

recognise the link between physical activity and thinking/creativity

give yourself time to absorb/consolidate new information.
The common thread to full engagement via spiritual, physical, mental and emotional
energy is

developing rhythms and rituals into your daily routines. We are creatures of habit.
What we build into our daily lives becomes how we live. New rituals may take you 30 –
60 days to acquire.
These rituals can be:

regular and healthy eating

regular breaks—every hour or 90 minutes

mental recovery rituals

regular physical activity

spiritual contemplation

spending allocated time doing things you like.
Hilary Bryan
The Training Practice
December 2005
www.trainingpractice.co.nz