Investigate energy management instead of time management.

Energy management may sound a little broad but I feel time management is even broader. And frankly, the more I witness and learn from mentors and influencing figures in my life, time management is a floored concept. What's more it seems to create a society fitting more and more into a day, a week, a month and a year but getting less done and more unbalanced in a lifestyle sense. We are loosing direction in the quest for time management but all we are succeeding in doing is creating a condition I have termed Lifestytis.

I feel we need to focus on energy management to obtain better performance, increased productivity and lifestyle balance. Look at top level athletes be it Aussie rules football, Hockey, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Netball or Athletics they all manage their energy levels. If resting pulse rates are too high steps are taken to rejuvenate the athlete. Off seasons must be taken otherwise injury, burnout and motivation will occur without doubt. So why do we as the general population work 40, 50 or 60 hours a week consistently and expect to stay motivated and productive. One great description that describes this type of living is flatlining. Work from 7 till 7 then go home eat, check emails, watch TV and then fit in some sleep. Get up and do it again.

Try this for a suggestion to increase the enjoyment, productivity, motivation, health and well being you experience. Start living your life like you are on a roller coaster ride. Say you work for 8 hours, let the first 90 - 120 minutes be the downward descent - go hard and fast. Then take 15 -20 minutes to go slow and replenish your energy levels. Stretch, walk up and down stairs, play cards, juggle or have a power snack. But it must be fun. Then get back to work because the downhill descent is coming up again. Go hard, get urgent for the next 90 minutes or so and capitalise on the downhill momentum. Keep this up all day and see how much more work you get done, how much extra energy you have left over and how much more enjoyable your work becomes.

See how focusing on energy level usage and replenishment can assist rather than focusing on managing time. We are only human and if we focus on time management we naturally focus on fitting more in to that time. Something has to give and our health usually draws the short straw because it is immeasurable until you lose it. So to manage energy try this and see how you go.

1. Stress energy levels - work, exercise, learn or whatever it is you do to a point where it is stressing you and you are out of your comfort zone. But do it relatively quickly.
2. Replenish energy levels - Stop the activity causing stress and do something totally enjoyable yet relaxing. Clear your mind totally.
3. Repeat, repeat and grow - Listen to your body and when you are tired, mentally, emotionally or physically, your energy is all used up so you need to replenish it. Sleep, eat, massage or whatever works for you. But rest and recovery will not only replenish energy levels but make you stronger, fitter, more productive and more motivated because you will adapt to the stresses you continually place on yourself (get out of your comfort zone)

Let me know how you go but most importantly enjoy yourself.