Photo credit: www.entrepreneur.com
It’s common for entrepreneurs to be bursting with energy, myself included. Having worked 60- to 70-hour weeks for many years, I believe I manage quite well. However, like many leaders, I’ve experienced significant drops in energy after intensive tasks. After an all-hands-on-deck effort for our IPO, I was taken aback by the exhaustion I felt and the recovery time I required.
This experience reshaped my approach to productivity. While entrepreneurs often discuss time management—strategizing schedules to maximize work hours—I learned that the real limiting factor is energy. You can have a meticulously planned day, but without the energy to follow through, it becomes irrelevant.
Arianna Huffington’s notable collapse from burnout serves as a poignant reminder of this truth. She suffered a significant injury due to exhaustion, reinforcing the point that many founders overexert themselves, mistakenly believing that working harder is the only solution. Given the rise in workplace burnout, some experts describe our current climate as a human energy crisis.
The silver lining? Energy management is a skill that can be developed. Mastering it not only helps avoid burnout but also fosters enhanced productivity, creativity, and resilience.
Here are four strategies I suggest to maintain high energy levels and ensure the success of your business.
1. Identify Your Energy Drains and Boosters
Low energy can severely hinder productivity. Research suggests that fatigue costs employers approximately $136 billion annually. However, leaders who grasp how to manage their own energy—and that of their teams—can dramatically enhance their productivity.
Energy management complements time management, but the two are distinct. To keep energy levels up, it’s essential to identify what depletes and replenishes that energy. Tracking daily activities is an effective starting point.
For me, my primary energy drain isn’t just over-scheduling; it comes from conflicts in professional relationships. Such stress can cause sleepless nights, akin to a powerful energy vampire. Conversely, nurturing positive relationships serves as a significant energy booster. Research indicates that leaders who cultivate healthy relationships within teams see increased productivity, enthusiasm, and loyalty.
2. Mitigate Energy Drain from Tasks and People
While you can’t eliminate every energy drain, you can manage the situation more effectively. I’ve witnessed many entrepreneurs abandon scenarios when faced with challenges, but I believe it’s essential to strive for resolution.
For example, when interactions with a colleague go awry, my initial temptation is to assume negative intentions. To shift this perspective, I remind myself to consider how I’d interpret their message if it came from someone else. This simple practice helps reframe my outlook and repair the relationship.
It’s crucial to recognize our own roles in these dynamics rather than labeling someone else as an ‘energy vampire.’ If striving to remain positive fails, it may indeed be time to sever ties.
Don’t wait for a crisis to address energy drains. Balance them with activities that rejuvenate you. For me, focusing on fundamental lifestyle habits—like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and family time—along with fostering a work environment that encourages a flow state, is essential. Reducing interruptions and taking breaks has been vital in maintaining my energy during periods of deep work.
3. Accept and Optimize Draining Tasks
We all face tasks we find tedious at work. While it’s tempting to wholly eliminate these responsibilities, consider whether there’s a way to turn them into a more positive experience.
For instance, I discovered that I can enhance the experience of attending networking events by focusing on making meaningful connections with just a few individuals instead of trying to engage everyone. Small changes can significantly improve how we feel about certain tasks, but it’s also helpful to acknowledge that not every duty will energize us—and that’s perfectly acceptable.
4. Lead with Energy: Establish Expectations and Sustain Momentum
As a team leader, modeling effective energy management while setting clear objectives helps prevent energy-sapping confusion. This means clarifying decision-making processes, limiting debate time, documenting outcomes, and ensuring final decisions aren’t reopened for discussion. Neglecting any of these aspects can be draining for the entire team.
Clear communication about overarching goals aids in maintaining high morale even during challenging projects. Noticing milestones and celebrating achievements significantly boosts motivation and can actually lead to future successes. Each year, during our Black Friday sales campaigns, I observe how teams unite to cheer for shared goals while monitoring our performance metrics.
The key takeaway is this: managing your energy is essential, not optional. The most efficient entrepreneurs don’t just manage their schedules; they also cultivate their stamina and that of their teams. Before you cram another task into your busy day, reflect on whether you’re focusing on time management or truly managing your energy.
Source
www.entrepreneur.com