Protecting your energy

Our second most precious commodity is our energy (second only to our time)—each day, week, month, etc., we only have so much energy to put into things in our life. This means we need to choose where our energy goes wisely, as every ounce matters. If we put energy into the wrong things, wrong people, etc., we negatively affect our potential. This is true professionally and personally. Because it is such a precious and limited resource, every drop of energy you put into the wrong thing, you rob the right things out of! 

Not only do we have a limited amount of energy to put into things, but we also need to gain clarity on which things take more (or less) energy for us to do. Some things zap more energy for us than others, and those things are not the same for everyone. Some people get massive energy zapped from having to talk to people, and some don’t lose nearly as much. Some people get enormous energy zapped from having to type things into a computer spreadsheet, and some don’t lose nearly as much. 

A great example in business is having to attend a networking event with other people. Some attend that and lose very little energy from the event and being around other people. Other people can attend the same event and leave totally wiped out. The difference is not simply the event or what we did at the event. It is the combination of those, plus the way we are wired. 

Until we understand and clarify things that zap our energy and how much energy each thing takes us, it is impossible to reach our maximum potential. 

This is even more true for leaders and understanding those they lead. If the leader puts people into situations that zap more energy than others, we are not leveraging the team’s potential well. 

So how do we get better at this? Two key concepts to start with: 

1. Work to understand how much energy is zapped by different activities each person has to do. 
2. Focus your time on energy utilization that gives you the greatest potential for success. 

This does not mean you should not or cannot do things. It means you should work to understand and then schedule things in a way to maximize your potential or the potential of those you lead. 

A good example is leadership—some lose energy in large groups far more than others. When possible, have those leaders spend time in small groups or one-on-one with their teams instead. Another example is in sales prospecting. If you or your people get wiped out from large group activities or networking events, ensure that you have a good amount of prospecting that does not consume as much of your energy. 

Good energy management and utilization are a massive key to team and individual success. Those who attain the highest levels typically have a far greater grasp on this concept and how it works each day, week, month, etc. 

These concepts seem simple; however, they are not easy. They require us to be honest about our own behaviors, habits, and attitudes, which is often painful to do. If wasted energy is frustrating for you and you genuinely want to get better—find a Business Growth Consultant who can help.