Do you ever find yourself feeling busy all the time, but struggling to accomplish what you want to do?It's a pretty common problem nowadays, especially in the workplace.
We tend to just work longer hours to keep up with the ever-increasing demands, and that usually leads to burnout.
But what if I told you that the key to doing more and doing it better is not managing your time, but managing your energy?
As Tony Schwartz explains, time is a finite resource, but energy is a whole different story. Energy has four wellsprings – the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. And in each of those, you can systematically expand and renew your energy by establishing specific rituals – behaviors that you intentionally practice and precisely schedule until they become unconscious and automatic.
Here's an example: taking intermittent breaks can restore your physical energy by tapping into your body's ultradian rhythms. Cool, right?
So, if you're feeling exhausted, maybe it's time to manage your energy, not your time. By doing so, you can focus on your personal growth and development, pursue your passions, and work towards your goals.
🤓 Interesting, right? If you want to read the full article, you can find it here.
Let's face it, we've all been there.
You're asked to do something, and even though you don't want to, you say yes. Before you know it, you're drowning in commitments and wishing you had just said no from the beginning.
Sometimes we avoid saying no to spare someone's feelings. But when we keep someone waiting for an answer, it can actually be worse than simply saying no. That just leaves them hanging, and it can make things even more awkward and uncomfortable in the long run.
Believe it or not, the words “yes” and “no” aren't always equal opposites.
Saying no means you're simply turning down one option, while saying yes means you're turning down all the other options. That's a pretty big deal when you think about it!
You might be surprised at how much time and energy you can save by simply saying no.
But you don't have to say no to everything that comes your way. As Tim Harford writes, “One trick is to ask, “If I had to do this today, would I agree to it?” It’s not a bad rule of thumb, since any future commitment, no matter how far away it might be, will eventually become an imminent problem.”
Just be selective and choose what makes you happy and fulfilled. Say “yes” to things you can really commit to doing. Find a balance that works for you, and be intentional with your choices.
It may seem like the opposite of what is usually recommended for remote work, and in fact, it is! However, the truth is that it works best for us at Together.
We are a small team of five people who spend a lot of time in meetings working together on design, brainstorming, reviews… And we have found that we do better without cameras, in order to keep the focus entirely on the conversation.
Moreover, we've discovered that there are some pretty sweet benefits!
Turning off our camera frees us to move around while still being actively participating in the meeting. Imagine being able to stand up and stretch, water your plants, or even do a few exercises while listening to your colleagues. It might surprise you how much of a difference these small actions can make. You'll be more focused, energized, and into the meeting than ever before!
So, what about giving it a shot? We encourage you to try to find the formula that best suits your meetings!
Could you take one minute to give us feedback? It’s our first newsletter and want to learn from you. Thanks in advance!
