We all know that moment when we feel drained but we keep pushing because we have more stuff to do. If we take a close look, there probably isn’t any “white space” in our calendar. We have one event after another.
We finish one thing only to start another and another and another. We’re moving through this, that and the other task.
We move so much that we don’t know how to stop.
At bedtime, we literally pass out. Perhaps we don’t even make it to the bed. We pass out before we can get to the bed.
Overwhelming our resources is one of the easiest and surest ways to drain our energy. All of it. Physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy.
Body, mind and spirit on empty.
We use all of our waking hours doing something. Then, our head hits the pillow and we dream about doing more.
I follow a business that offers goal-setting software to help people stay on track and achieve their goals. They got a big AMEN from me when I read one of their blogpost about allowing enough time to complete a goal. Sometimes our timelines are simply too short.
Underestimating the time it takes to complete a task can leave us feeling very overwhelmed. Many times we’ve taken on too many tasks. We drain our energy resources trying to do the impossible.
Sweet Honey in the Rock sang, “ A way out of no way is too much to ask, too much of a task for any one woman”.
When you’re the go-to-person in your family, business, community or all of the above, it’s easy to take on more than you can manage. Feeling drained, doubtful, or anxious about getting things done are sure signs that you’re overwhelmed.
Bringing our best to our goals and responsibilities requires time and energy. Use these three energy management strategies to power up.
Put some white space in your calendar – Leave time between your activities for transition and recharging. Give yourself some mental room between events. Allow yourself some room to breathe. Leave some time to make your favorite foods and give yourself some pampering. Build some energy in between tasks so that you can take it all in and process what you’re doing.
Match tasks to energy demands – Our energy shifts at different times of day. I tend to be more energetic in the morning hours. This is when I like to focus on doing creative work. Decide when is the best time for you to complete a task. It may be a time of day or a certain time during the week. Set up your responsibilities to maximize your energy.
Downsize – Doing less is doing more. Take a look at your responsibilities and goals; Are there some things you can release? Perhaps, it’s time for a virtual assistant or a service to handle some tasks that would free up your energy. If that’s not in the budget, take a look at segmenting projects into smaller more manageable tasks. Create some short-term projects and leave some others for the long term. And yes, say no or that will have to wait. Offer alternatives to you taking on more responsibility.
Join our supportive Facebook community, REVIVAL: A Place For Women To Restore, Revive & Recharge. I’m there to support you, your purpose, your gratitude practice and much more.
We’re nurturing our bodies (Body Love), clearing and centering our minds (Mind Matters), tuning in to our emotional wealth (Feeling Right) and getting inspired to shine our purpose like a spotlight (Spirit Lifted). Our mission is the uplift women who elevate their purpose to transform their lives and the world. Fulfilling your purpose takes energy. The Living Source is here to help you build and sustain the energy to be who you came to the world to be.
Get a copy of our free EBook, “Plug In To The Power Of You”. The EBook will get you moving with a checklist to take your energy pulse and some strategies to add to your self-care, productivity, and fulfillment playlist.
© Sandra Y. Lewis