7 Energy-saving Tips for Focusing on Your Fitness
1. Say “No” to a Higher “Yes”
The first reality you need to embrace is that there are always going
to be more demands on your time than you can possibly meet in a day.
Embrace the word “no” and rest assured that by saying “no” to less
important things, will be available to say “yes” to the things that are
most important to you.
2. Anchor Your Non-negotiables
Start by making a list of the things in your life that are
non-negotiable. These are the things that you absolutely must do to be
the best person you can be, as well as those things that bring you the
most joy. For me, that list includes faith, family and fitness. These
are the things that give me energy and purpose. For example, I position
my non-negotiables at the beginning of each and every day, where nothing
can interfere with them. If you wake up already feeling overwhelmed by
your schedule, this may sound like a sacrifice you just can’t afford.
But by getting up one hour earlier, you can turn this into a gift you
give yourself! You will find that you have more energy throughout the
day and actually get more accomplished because you are not mentally
exhausted worrying about when you will have time to take care of you.
3. Be Realistic
Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day and don’t waste
energy worrying about what you cannot. Become a list-maker and put
estimated times next to each of your tasks to make sure that you are not
taking on more than you can handle. Making your list the night before
will help you keep perspective on what is important and give you a sense
of empowerment as you take control of your time.
4. Know Yourself
Know your strengths and weaknesses and put yourself in a position to
succeed. For example, if you know that you do not work well without
supervision, do not take on a job where you will be forced to work
alone. This will only stress you out and make you feel like a failure—a
sure-fire energy drain. On the other hand, if you are most successful
handling self-directed projects, don’t volunteer to be a part of team or
committee where you will get bogged down in the minutia and forced to
give away your valuable energy reserves.
5. Embrace Technology
The fact that you are reading this online means you are likely
already embracing technology to save time and energy. Is there more you
could be doing? Could you consolidate your calendar, contacts and to-do
lists into one smartphone device? How about learning how to use the
voice command feature to create and update your to-do list while driving
to and from work? Could you move the bulk of your bill paying, shopping
and correspondence online? You may find that investing in an iPad or
tablet allows you to zip through these high-demand/low-yield tasks while
sitting on the sidelines at your child’s soccer practice or waiting at
the airport for a flight, leaving you with more time and energy to head
out for that run when you get back to the house.
6. Minimize Errands
If you were to keep track of how much time you spend in the car while
running errands, you would be amazed. We all know the value of grouping
our errands together to save time. If an unexpected errand is thrust
upon you, take a moment to consider its importance. What would happen if
you did not do that errand today? Is there someone else you could
delegate it to? Or, could you handle it on the phone or via the computer
and not have to do it at all? In reality, many of our errands are time
wasters and they fool us into thinking they are urgent and/or important.
7. Don’t Be a Hero
Finally, don’t get into the trap of doing it all yourself. Whether at
work or at home, you can and should rely on the people around you to
pick up some of those energy-sapping tasks so you do not have to take
them all on. This helps others gain responsibility and learn to
appreciate you even more.
