When you consistently have low energy, you may feel like there’s nothing you can do to get out of a state of fatigue. However, converting one resource into another may help you solve your low-energy problems.
Many people in today’s workplace suffer from fatigue and burnout, and the effects of COVID have only exacerbated these issues across many demographics. Millennials in particular are most affected by low energy, having to work an average of 4,459 hours more than baby boomers to pay for their higher educations.
If you find yourself in a state of fatigue, burnout, or low energy, you have several options for improving your energy levels. By effectively using your most valuable finite resource (time), you can create more of an essential renewable resource (energy).
Time—A Finite Resource
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. It may be hard to imagine that you have a resource equal to that of President Joe Biden, Elon Musk, and Beyonce, but this information should encourage you, nonetheless.
No matter what you do, you can’t get any more time than the hours you have in your day. This begs the question: How are you spending the time allotted to you?
Since time is such a finite resource (much more scarce than money), it should be treated with the utmost care. When you learn how to optimally use your time, you maximize your return on a priceless resource.
One of the most important things you can do is to get out of a scarcity mindset around time. With a scarcity mindset, you may frequently have thoughts like:
- “I just don’t have enough time.”
- “This is too much of a commitment.”
- “I don’t have a place for this in my schedule.”
When you have a scarcity mindset around time, you’ll always see the time you do have as a limitation, rather than a tool to use for your success. Start looking at the time you have as an invaluable asset, rather than a roadblock.
There is a positive relationship between time and energy. The more you properly invest your time in the right activities, the more energy you create.
Energy—A Renewable Resource
Shifting your mindset to see energy as a changeable and renewable resource is a step in the right direction. Energy can be renewed, and your capacity to hold energy can be expanded.
Newton’s first law states that an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Humans have a similar experience with energy based on our mental state and habits. By moving in the right direction, you create more of the same.
Here are some more examples of ways you can trade time for energy:
- Lifting weights requires time and energy, but makes you stronger, therefore, you have to expend less energy to do the same activities.
- Cooking a nutritious meal takes time and effort, but it provides you with more energy in the long run than fast food.
- Going to bed early takes up more of your hours, but gives you more energy because you are better rested.
Look for ways to embody the positive relationship between time and energy. Think of time as a tool that allows you to replenish your energy. It’s an investment that will cost you something now (time), but that will ultimately yield a high return later (energy).
This psychological shift in perspective of understanding what is within your control is the most effective way for you to replenish your energy.
How to Create More Energy With Your Time
Now that you know that you can trade your time for energy, find some practical applications of this trade-off and fit them into your life. If you make these trade-offs correctly, you’ll end up with an abundance of both time and energy.
Here are some actions you can take that result in increased energy:
- Quality sleep
- Daily exercise
- Socializing with positive friends
- Eating nutritious foods
- Spending time outside in nature
- Taking care of your mental health and mindset
- Investing in yourself (such as hiring a trainer or life coach)
You certainly don’t need to invest in every one of these action items at once. Try to focus on one item at a time and see how that investment affects your energy levels. In order to have more energy, you must make these positive changes in several small steps. You have to increase your capacity to hold energy while you pursue increased stamina. It doesn’t happen overnight, so think of the way you spend your time in the long run as the true investment.
The Bottom Line
By effectively using your most valuable finite resource (time), you can create more of an essential renewable resource (energy). By being conscious of this phenomenon, you are already taking steps towards improving your supply of energy.
If you’d like some guidance on managing your time for success, speak with one of our life coaches!
How are you going to spend your time to get more energy? Let us know in the comments!
Sources:
http://runrunlive.com/time-scarcity-versus-time-abundance
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201504/12-ways-replenish-your-energy
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