How to take control of your energy budget

You might not think that you have an energy budget, but you do. Whether you call it energy or willpower or discipline or motivation, something drives you and sometimes, you run out of it. Whatever you call it, energy is both a physical reality and an emotional one. And either you manage it, or it will manage you.

Here are three ways to think about your day:

  1. I do things when they are scheduled.
  2. I do things when I feel up to them.
  3. I go with the flow.
Which of these does the best job of matching your energy to meeting your goals for the day? Probably none of them work very well. You're using energy but not necessarily generating enough so that you have the supply you need when you need it. You're probably either putting off stuff that needs to be done, or frustrated by having more energy than you need for some kinds of tasks.

© Can Stock Photo / Ig0rZh

Here's a better idea. Think about your day and ask these three questions:
  1. When do I have the most energy?
  2. What takes the most energy?
  3. How can I recharge when I need more energy than I have?
Being disciplined doesn't mean working when you're exhausted; it means managing your energy levels so that you don't get exhausted. You need your best energy to get your best results. When you think of energy as a currency you are either spending or growing, you'll be closer to the energized performance that leads to satisfying results.

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