Peak Performance – Directing Your Energy Toward What Matters Most

Sure, we’re all aware of the need for renewable energy to fuel our cars, light our homes, power up our MacBooks and keep us comfortable, but the other very real energy shortage comes from within each and every one of us. We need to discover renewable energy for ourselves as well as the planet.

How many days a week do you spend playing “beat the clock”? Rushing from meeting to desk, from work to home, from home to social obligations, never fully engaging in your life. All you want to do is connect with your loved one, go for a walk, or simply sit in silence for a few minutes while your mind and body come back together.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, not by a long shot. Because we’re feeling pulled in many directions, most of us are so depleted of energy that we have a hard time mustering up the focus necessary to engage fully in anything we do. We’re left feeling like we could’ve done better, paid more attention, been present in our own lives. We regret, we ponder, and end up wishing we could focus our energies on what really matters, instead of jumping on the proverbial hamster wheel, running toward no real goal.

The good news is there is a way to slow down and get back into your own life. It’s possible to accomplish what you need to at work, without putting in 14 hour days. No more missed soccer games or social gatherings, and you can begin to spend real, quality time with friends and family. By practicing specific behaviors you can regain and renew your energy, prioritize and focus, and cultivate a positive attitude that makes you feel like yourself again.

Get Off The Wheel

First, you need to remember your time is finite, but your energy, given the right opportunities, is renewable. This means that, while you can’t add any more hours to a 24 hour day, you can make sure you get the most out of those hours. Start by taking the time to focus on your task at hand, replenish your energy reservoir, and prioritize your goals and intentions, so that you don’t lose the precious time you do have.

Your energy comes from five main areas; physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. To be at peak performance and to ensure you don’t become exhausted, unfocused, and out of sorts, you must be intentional about keeping keep all of your energies fully charged. Here are some ways to identify these energy stores, know when you’re in need of a recharge, and some renewing habits to keep you at your best.

Physical Energy

Your physical energy is key to maintaining performance and focus, whatever the task. The optimal ways to hone your physical energy, and ensure good health, are to eat a clean diet, free of processed, fast- and junk foods, and get 30 minutes of heart healthy exercise each day-walk the dog or go kick a soccer ball with your kids. If you’re overweight, talk to your doctor and begin a weight loss program, make some lifestyle changes to do away with unhealthy habits such as drinking too much alcohol, or smoking. Take steps to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, without sleep aids.

As you regain your good health, you’ll almost immediately begin to feel more energized. But, you also need to learn to recognize when your body needs recovery time, to renew your physical energy. Restlessness, difficulty concentrating, yawning, and feeling hungry are all signals that it is time for a break. Listen to your body and don’t attempt to push through. You need that break in order to come back fully charged and ready to achieve your goal.

Emotional Energy

A positive mental attitude is a sign of an emotionally energized individual. Having control of your emotions, and being able to put them in the proper place, helps you maintain your focus, creativity, and, ultimately, achieve your goals.

When your emotions begin to zap your energy, you can become irritable, impatient, and feel drained. This usually triggers negativity and self-doubt, which are counterproductive to being focused and in control of your task at hand. When you begin to feel negativity creeping in, you need to take a break from what you’re doing.

One of the best ways to smash negative emotions and renew your positive attitude is by taking a gratitude break. Keep a journal at your desk and when you need to, reflect on what you are grateful for; the kindness of a friend, your healthy children, the beauty outside your window. Reflect and think about prior entries to boost your gratitude. See beyond your office doors and be thankful for a full, rich and beautiful life.

Mental Energy

In the late 80’s the buzz term “multitasking” was worn like a badge of honor among power brokers and captains of industry. The belief was that these folks were at the top of their game because of their ability to juggle many duties at the same time. However, as we now know, multitasking on a regular basis can zap your mental acuity and lead to burnout. And, the distractions that accompany multitasking-answering pinging texts, or emails, in the midst of composing a proposal, etc., increases the time it takes to finish your primary task by 25%.

To preserve your mental energy, and your mental health, separate your tasks according to priority. Set specific times to return emails and voicemails. Address secondary tasks on your terms. Realize not every correspondence or message requires an immediate response. When working on a project that needs your full attention, find a place to get away from people, phones, and email, and see what a difference this makes in your mental energy.

Social Energy

 We all go through stressful and challenging times, and at every age, it seems. We may find that during times of hardship we shut other people out, keep to ourselves more, or even withdraw from what we enjoy the most. But the truth is during these times is when we need people the most. Whether it is someone to talk to, sit with, laugh with or cry with. Being social can benefit our lives in numerous different ways. There are many health benefits of being social. Numerous studies have been conducted on the health benefits of being social and most will agree that social isolation is associated with poor health.

Being around family and friends can actually help reduce stress. Laughter is proven to do good things for your body, so get out and laugh with your friends. Laughing alone acts as a stress reducer. So add that laughter with an enjoyable environment and you’ve got a powerful stress reducer.

Spiritual Energy

Spiritual energy is the boost you feel when you know what you’re doing is making a difference. When you aren’t true to your core values, or feel no sense of purpose, as though what you’re doing has no real lasting impact, then your spiritual energy wanes. This can affect your emotional energy as well, making you feel negative and as though your accomplishments are not meaningful.

Get away from your desk. Go for a walk and think those thoughts of gratitude. Seek out other opportunities that give you a sense of purpose, such as spending time with family, volunteering, or planting a garden-anything that connects you with humanity and a meaningful life.

Pause to Renew

In today’s world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Make time to connect regularly with your energy sources, and practice some renewing rituals. You’ll be amazed by the difference in your productivity at work, and your improved relationships at work and on the home front.