There are many reasons why energy management is the number 1 skill we tackle within my leadership development programme for women, Elevate.

Reason #1:

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

When you’re running on low energy or empty, you feel distracted, tired, overwhelmed, stressed and irritable.

Your focus will be on getting through your day, and won’t be fully present with your team, your boss, your clients, and your family.

Yes, you can push yourself to be productive — as you usually do.

But…

You can’t be creative.
You can’t be strategic.
You can’t be empathetic.

You won’t beam with excitement about adding value at your next meeting.

If you do speak up, you won’t do it with executive presence, and your capacity to fully listen will be compromised, too.

And – you won’t have energy left for the things that matter most. 😢

Reason #2:

We want to manage our energy before our time, because time is a finite resource, we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

Time can’t be stretched but energy is expandable.

Reason #3:

When we manage our energy, we build the resilience and stamina to handle whatever crises come our way.

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

So, whatever level you are at – senior executive, manager or individual contributor – you need to proactively manage your energy to do your best work and feel fulfilled.

How?

The first thing to do is to make an energy audit.

Know what drains your energy, what sustains it, and what expands it.

Here’re some of the things that deplete most women’s energy:

Not enough sleep
Unhealthy eating habits
Neglecting exercise
Not taking regular breaks during the day
Back-to-back meetings
Saying “yes” to projects, tasks and meetings that you wanted to decline.
Not setting boundaries at work and in personal life.
Ignoring your emotions.
Not having a clear career vision and purpose.
Not delegating enough.
Perfectionism – in any form.
Working hard vs smart.
Not prioritising your workload.
Rescuing and fixing others’ problems.
Sacrificing time with your family for work.
Giving up all your hobbies.
Negative self-talk and self-judgement.
Multitasking.
Staying in a job that is no longer a good fit.
Tolerating the company of negative people.

Now… if you have spotted quite a few energy-sulking habits, please, don’t beat yourself up.

Instead, use this exercise to raise your self-awareness about what depletes your energy, and make your own list.

Now, what expands and builds your energy?

Make a list of small habits that can help you expand your energy, so you can be more efficient, fully present with everyone in your life, and communicate with leadership presence.

For instance, if you’re an introvert, you are likely to need quiet time to recharge after the intense day socialising at work. What kind of ritual would help you replenish your energy?

Here’s the shortlist of some of my daily and weekly rituals:

Daily mindfulness walks + exercise a few times per week.
Healthy diet.
Stay hydrated.
Get 8 hours of sleep per day.
Listen to my emotions, accept them fully, and let them guide me.
Take regular screen breaks.
Limit exposure to the news (especially now!)
Delegate admin tasks to my VA.
Schedule regular activities that bring me joy.
Practice non-judgement and compassion towards others and myself.
Meditate every morning.
Be intentional as to whom I socialise with.
Limit social media use.
Read a few book pages to unwind before bed.
Compassionate self-talk.

In its essence, energy management is about being mindful as we go through our day. Check in with yourself regulary: “How I am feeling? Is this adding to my energy or taking from it? What can I do about it?”

What kind of habits will you start adding to your life on the basis of this energy audit? Hit “reply” and share your list with me – I am curious and would love to hear from you!

Wishing you a good and energy-filled week.

Warmly,
Nadira

PS Want to go deeper? Learn about the 4 sources of energy in the original HBR research, and take their energy assessment.