Recharge Your Battery: Don’t Run on Empty

Day two of comparing humans to computers

Your laptop battery is on the brink, flashing warnings, begging for a charge. You keep saying “just one more email,” but eventually, it shuts down. Just like our laptops, we humans need to recharge too.

Picture a battery above your head, its charge reflecting your energy levels. Activities like sleep, hobbies, and healthy meals energize us, filling our metaphorical battery. On the other hand, stress, overwork, and unhealthy habits drain that battery.

Don’t Wait Until You Crash. Charge nightly. Plug in before bed. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule to recharge your body and mind.

Taking care of yourself isn’t a weakness, it’s a necessity. By getting to know the activities that recharge our batteries, we can become intentional about structuring our days for optimal performance.

This is how I do it: If I have a draining task on Monday, I avoid piling on more depleting tasks and look to schedule energizing activities throughout the day (or at least ones that won’t tire me as much). I prioritize my to-do list based on their energy impact, spreading them strategically throughout the week. It’s a shift from focusing on quantity to prioritizing energy levels – both in terms of task completion and my overall well-being.

Sometimes, it’s not about cramming as many tasks as possible into a day. It’s about strategically structuring your day to leverage your energy and focus for optimal productivity.

Think of it like this: by identifying your energy-draining tasks, you can schedule them alongside activities that recharge you. This creates a balanced workday where you can achieve more while feeling energized and focused.

ACTION: Become Your Own Battery Gauge: Throughout the day, check in with yourself. What activities energize you? What drains your energy?