To be aware and to recharge
Managing your energy matters.
It is something you do.
And when I say managing, I don’t mean that ‘this is it’ and you have to ‘put up with it as it is’.
No.
I mean manage energy so that you can build it.
This is a practice, which involves a number of skills.
I use the word practice to capture the range of skills, strategies and the know-how you use consistently, to head towards your picture of success.
One of the skills is to plan, prioritise and periodise your activities. This is a habit of peak performers and I will share the detail with you in the coming posts.
For now there is something more simple.
The practice of taking pauses
Through the day, every day, you pause.
Take a moment, or a few moments.
To be present. To be aware. To check in.
The Check In:
- Sit a little more upright — changing your position changes your state.
- Take a couple of slower breaths.
- Close your eyes.
- Now ask yourself three questions:
- How am I?
- What are my needs right now?
- How can I best meet them?
- The answers reveal your state, needs and what you can do about it
To do this, you need one more thing.
A prompt.
A notification.
What can you use?
How many times a day will you definitely set your prompt? This is your start point.
Meeting your needs is a basic!
Learning to meet your needs as they arise is a fundamental skill.
By doing so, you are creating the conditions to get better.
The key is to be consistent with habits in your day to day living that deliver the results you want.
I call this living yourself better.
It means that your thinking and actions are in line with your picture of success.
Every step you make is in that direction: e.g./ building energy, increasing fitness, re-engaging with activities you love, returning to work etc.
The things you want.
That is the focus.
Focus on what you want and the next step in that direction.
This includes pausing, checking in, and managing your energy.
I hope that is helpful.
Next time we will look at ways to recharge.
See you tomorrow.
r.s.
other Resources:
🚚 My daily newsletter to understand and overcome pain: https://open.substack.com/pub/richmondstace
📖 My book, Understand and Overcome your Chronic Pain: https://amzn.eu/d/hJm0hdG
🎥 Pain in the Person ~ two short films: https://youtu.be/zidJbZHEGzM