What’s Your Energy Level?
Simple ways to schedule and add fuel to our week
Energy controls our ability to get things done and to put forth effort into making changes and achieving our dreams.
Over the last year or so, I’ve learned to be more protective of my energy levels. This is something that I neglected thoughout college, when my thoughts were only of accomplishing and excelling, at any cost.
The result? I was burned out, underslept and found joy in almost nothing. I felt like a zombie on most days, just trying to mull around until I got a second wind by overhydrating on Monster and other aids.
After a serious bout of crashing and burning along with depression in 2018, I realized something had to change.
However, it wasn’t until I met my friend Raye that I began to put two and two together in 2019.
I wasn’t protecting my energy levels, I wasn’t taking time to refill in meaningful ways and I wasn’t being protective over how much energy I was expanding.
From that point on, I started keeping a careful eye over my energy level. I learned which ways of self care brought me the best results and I began to feel more at peace and less stressed.
My mental health also improved, as I can start to see the signs of a nose dive by being attuned to my body.
By being able to sense any drops, I have a fighting chance to course correct before crashing and letting my mental health get the better of me.
Every week, as I’m beginnning to set up my schedule, I pay attention to three key elements: what is most important, what my fuel fillers will be and what I can allow myself to say no to.
It’s these three elements that I use to protect energy and be able to balance everything out.
Set Down What Matters
Before the week even begins, set aside 20–30 minutes. During those 20–30 minutes write down everything that is essential to get done that week.
Write down every assignment, every deadline, every activity that needs to get done. Write it out Monday-Saturday.
This helps in providing a bird’s eye view that we often lack when it comes to making decisions.
It also prepares us to know what is going to take up the most energy and take the biggest chunks of our week up.
Add Multiple Fuel Fillers
For every activity that you know will be emotionally or mentally draining, choose one that you know will refill the tank.
This might require some experimentation at first. The type of activities you’re looking for are ones that speak to the heart and soul.
Taking a drive, meditating, treating yourself to coffee, giving yourself time to read are all examples.
The fuel filler set will be unique to you. However, when you’re doing an activity and notice a rise in energy, make note of it. Keep trying different methods until you know what works for you.
Say No As Often As Possible
While we can’t always avoid things that will drain us, we can control some of them.
Once we have work, responsibilites and the like sorted, it’s our decision whether or not to engage in an activity. There is freedom in being able to say no to taking on too much.
Each time you face the decision of whether to go to something, ask yourself if it will make you feel empty or full.
If it fills your tank (like spending time with friends or taking the dog for a walk), it’s a yes. If it’s something that will drain you, think a little harder before accepting.
The key here, and also one of the hardest parts, is to not worry what other people think.
If it’s something that you know will drain you or others involved, feel free to say no without worrying about what others say. Easier said than done, but once it’s done once or twice it gets easier.
Conclusion
Carefully monitoring your week and planning according to conserving energy, you’ll notice the ability to get better results and avoid burnout.
Considering energy levels may take some getting used to, but they are worth it. Saying no is hard at first, but in my experience, no one judges you for missing the latest event.
I’m not suggesting skipping out on major responsibilities, but for the things that are not crucial, give yourself a break and decide what matters.
