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Hectic workdays are marked by seconds-saving acronyms. You log on AEAP and spend hours OTP or IAM until COB. AFK? Not if you want to finish that R&D budget by EOD.
You need PTO ASAP to feel A-OK.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed when responsibilities begin to mount, but energy can be expanded and renewed, according to Daniel J. Stewart, an executive consultant and President of Stewart Leadership. He said you’re your own Chief Energy Officer who’s in charge of focusing and sustaining your stamina and strength to support those you work with and lead.
Stewart shared four rituals, habits and behaviors that can bring out the best version of yourself more consistently. Here’s what he had to say.
1. Rest and Recovery
One of the main reasons people often struggle to get enough sleep is the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do or being stressed about work. Insufficient sleep leads to decreased productivity, which contributes to more stress and further sleep deprivation.
(If you want to read an interesting book on the topic, check out “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker.)
It’s a never-ending and negative cycle. To break it, find ways to be more productive by incorporating regular rest points into your day.
In your ideal state, you strive to be upbeat, invigorated, optimistic, confident and enthusiastic. Of course, it’s unrealistic to float through life in a constant state of Zen. Energy levels fluctuate, and you can’t operate continuously on a single wavelength. Instead, find a balance that you can realistically maintain while allowing for moments of rest.
Research indicates that humans need to take rejuvenating microbreaks after working for 90 to 120 minutes. They could be brief time outs, during which you might take a walk, stretch, do breathing exercises, snack, gaze outside or daydream.
Now, the question becomes, how do you incorporate these breaks into a busy workday packed with back-to-back meetings?
Set measurable goals and determine how you will track your progress. Identify daily rituals that allow you to remain adaptable and flexible.
Share your intentions with someone else, as accountability plays a significant role in sustaining new habits. Discussing your efforts with another person will make you more likely to make rejuvenating breaks a regular part of your workday.
Prioritizing rest and finding ways to recharge is vital to maintain a healthy balance. Acknowledging that reality helps us rise to our best selves. Having open conversations with your employees about the importance of rest and well-being can significantly improve productivity and engagement within the team.
2. Believe in the Power of High Fives
Fascinating research showed that sports teams that high-fived often tended to be more successful than those that didn’t. So, try this at your next staff meeting. Ask everyone to think of a significant personal or professional accomplishment in the last six months. Now, have each person turn to someone nearby and tell them about the achievement before giving them a high five.
The purpose of this activity is to highlight the significance of positive reinforcement and how it can contribute to a more engaged and productive work environment. The hand-slapping act of a high five isn’t as important as the actions that lead to it.
You create a powerful moment when you experience happiness and receive validation. Sharing something you’re proud of and physically engaging in positive gestures like high fives can ignite energy, optimism and a sense of validation within you.
Take a moment to reflect on how this can apply to various aspects of your life — your own experiences, team dynamics, interactions with peers, the leadership of a project. Consider how you can create equivalent moments of acknowledgment and positivity, which can serve as metaphors for high fives.
As you think about implementing this approach within your team, recognize the potential it holds for enhancing positivity, engagement and overall well-being.
3. Stop Multitasking
When you’re fully present and engaged in a task, the quality of your work improves. It takes less time to complete than if you’re distracted or dividing your attention among several items on your to-do list.
What rituals can you incorporate into your day that enhance your presence and focus?
Start by putting your cell phones on mute. Self-imposed boundaries on the use of personal devices during critical moments of the day allow you to be fully engaged in the present moment.
Next, prioritize daily and weekly tasks based on what is most essential. Resist the temptation to constantly juggle multiple responsibilities.
To effectively prioritize your tasks, consider using a straightforward framework at the beginning of the workweek or workday. Divide activities into four categories based on urgency and importance.
- Low urgency, high importance. Schedule it for a later time or date. Ensure that it’s on your calendar or to-do list to address in time.
- High urgency and high importance. Tackle these tasks right away. However, if everything on your plate seems to fall into this category, take a step back and identify the most crucial tasks on which to focus.
- Low urgency and low importance. Consider avoiding these items for now. Pause and write them down for potential future consideration.
- High urgency but low importance. Limit the amount of time you spend on these tasks to prioritize what truly matters most.
There are nuances to these decisions, of course. Use this framework as your guide to make informed choices about how to allocate your time and energy.
4. Find Your Sense of Purpose
Focusing on your underlying sense of purpose provides a uniquely powerful source of energy. This can be the grand purpose of your life or simply your “why” for the day or week ahead.
As you strive to build a successful team, bring a product to market or establish connections with suppliers, it’s crucial to anchor yourself to the ultimate reason behind your efforts. Allow this guiding force to help you manage distractions and stay on track.
Conducting an energy audit can be empowering. Reflect on what truly drives you and consider what motivates you to act.
When you lead a team or collaborate with others, find a common and inspiring purpose that everyone can agree upon. Articulate this purpose in a way that resonates with each team member to foster a shared vision and direction.
Embrace the excitement of trying new things and challenging yourself, as creativity and growth are integral parts of the human experience. By staying grounded in your purpose and embracing the willingness to explore, you’ll continue to drive meaningful progress and achieve your goals.
Think about the great progress you’ll make simply by doing one thing differently today. Months from now, you’ll be celebrating your success with a well-earned high five.
