You’re told as a leader that time management is important.
But, managing your time well ISN’T enough.
What’s even more important? Managing your ENERGY. Here’s why…
If you’re a leader, your gifts, strengths, and talents are your way of serving others. BUT you can’t lead others well if you’re DROWNING.
It’s the same as “putting your mask on first” in case of a change in airplane cabin pressure—as the flight attendant will tell you. You have to make sure you’re stable before you can help others.
One of the most important ways to “put your mask on first” is to MANAGE YOUR ENERGY.
What does this mean?
First off, you’ll need to know what your “ENERGY” is—it’s your capacity or power to do work.
This can be energy in a spiritual, physical, mental or emotional sense.
So, how do you know if you’re managing your energy well?
– by the words that you’re thinking internally, your self-talk
– by your body language, the way you carry yourself
– by whether you’re feeling motivated, hopeful, inspired, excited
– by whether you’re showing up as impatient, triggered, frustrated, irritated, exhausted
– by how you feel at the end of your work day
How are you doing so far? What comes to mind?
This is so important to think about, because our ONLY true resource—even more than time—is our WELL BEING, our HEALTH.
If we don’t have that ^^ it doesn’t even matter how we manage our time. We can’t manage our time well if we don’t manage our energy well.
Here’s a list of questions you can ask yourself to determine your level of ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
● Do you feel settled with the current level of your physical health, your finances, your physical safety?
● Are your relationships with peers, employees, family, friends positive, strong and supportive? Do you feel psychologically safe and secure with the people in your immediate circle?
● Are you thinking and feeling confident thoughts about where you are in your career and life?
● Do you feel like you are part of a team, working with people who are accountable, investing in your own personal and professional growth?
● Are you feel internally aligned toward your purpose, operating with shared values with those in your work and personal life?
● As a leader, are you coaching, mentoring, making a difference or giving back in some way that feels aligned with who you are?
● Do you have your own compelling vision for the future?
● If you were to capture the most common emotions you are experiencing, or articulating to others each day, are they positive emotions (excited, happy, inspired, joyful, etc.) or would they be more negative (stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed)?
How you answer these questions will help you determine whether you’re at a point where you can help others – or whether you would benefit from support to get your OWN mask on.