Leading is tough enough as it is without a lack of energy.
Dragging through your day and feeling worn out will make you an ineffective leader. You’ve got to have energy to lead well.
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Halfway through your day, you may be feeling like the guy above. Crashed and burned.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can feel energized throughout the day.
But how do you make sure you have enough energy to get through the day? That’s a tough question to answer but I’ve got a few tips on keeping your energy level up (or how to quickly boost it when feeling worn out).
Exercise early in the morning: Who would think expending a ton of energy would result in having more energy throughout the day? This idea never sounded right to me until I began to practice this ritual.
J. Fred Ralston Jr., MD, past president of the American College of Physicians, recommends regular, vigorous exercise multiple times per week to fight fatigue. The odd truth is, move more to have more energy.
While I’ve switched my exercising to the evenings, I still agree with the findings here. Exercise in the morning gives you energy throughout the day.
Take a power nap: Effective leaders throughout history have been known to take plenty of naps. Winston Churchill, Lyndon B. Johnson, Napoleon Bonaparte, John F. Kennedy, Thomas Edison, Stonewall Jackson, Ronald Reagan, and Salvador Dali were prolific nappers.
They grabbing a quick nap here or there could give them the energy to make it through the day and to keep their heads clear in decision making.
Try getting a few winks in during your day. You can find time during your lunch break or in-between meetings. Give it a try and let me know how you feel!
Eat healthier meals/snacks: What you eat affects how you feel. If you’re loading yourself up with unhealthy foods you’re going to feel the effects.
It’s much like fueling a high performance vehicle with sub-par fuel. The car isn’t going to run well.
Your body is your vehicle. Feed it right and feel better.
If you’re having trouble making wise food choices, bring healthy nuts, fruits such as apples or oranges, and granola to work. You’ll have healthy options rather than what comes from the vending machine!
Grab a power walk: I mentioned exercising in the morning as a way to boost your energy throughout the day. However, you can also grab a power walk in the middle of your day to boost your energy levels.
Research shows a brisk walk, whether around your building or up and down the stairs, can bring you a boost of energy that will help you get through the day.
As an added bonus, take the power walk outside. Taking in the sunshine and fresh air along with the walk will definitely get you going again.
Keeping your energy levels up throughout the day is easier than you think. Remember to get your exercise, take a nap, eat healthy treats, and take a quick walk.
When you begin creating these simple habits, you’ll find your energy level rising higher than it ever has!
Question: What do you do to keep your energy levels high? Share your tricks in the comment section below and help other leaders stay energized.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.