We leaders often focus on managing time, yet it’s not really our time that we need to manage – it’s our energy. The time focus seems to be about getting things done at whatever cost. The energy focus is on producing quality and being happy while doing it.
Part of managing energy is planning your days as much as possible. Follow up an energy draining activity with one that replenishes your energy. What are those? It all depends on your own personality and preferences.
Here are some things that I have found draining and replenishing.
Draining:
- Difficult conversation with a staff member
- Board meeting
- Making financial cuts
- Practicing a new skill
- Self-criticism
- Being criticized
- Terminating someone’s employment
- Not trusting staff and feeling like you have to micromanage them
- Working 60 hour weeks regularly
- Attending late night events
- Long commute
- Facing a crisis
- Losing a long-standing funding source
Replenishing:
- Gardening
- Playing music
- Reading something for pleasure
- Going to a conference
- Talking to a new funder who’s excited about the work
- Taking a nap
- Spending time with someone you can be yourself with
- Meeting someone for lunch who you like
- Meditating
- Brainstorming
- Taking a vacation
- Coming in late or leaving early
- Writing
- Pulling my thoughts together
What have you found to be helpful in managing your energy?
