Energy Management Reflection Exercise

Use this reflection exercise to assess your current energy management habits and identify areas for improvement. Set aside some quiet time to work through the questions below, and consider keeping a journal to track your insights and progress.

Step 1: Identify Your Energy Peaks and Valleys

Reflect on your typical day and identify when you feel most energized and when you tend to hit a slump. Use these questions to guide your reflection:

• Morning Energy: When you wake up, do you feel refreshed and ready to go, or does it take time to get moving?

• Midday Energy: Do you have a strong burst of energy after lunch, or do you tend to feel sluggish and unproductive?

• Afternoon/Evening Energy: When do you feel your energy dip? When do you typically feel most productive and focused?

Step 2: Map Your Tasks to Your Energy Levels

Take a look at your daily tasks and responsibilities. Map these tasks to your energy levels, assigning high-energy tasks to your peak times and less demanding tasks to your lower-energy times.

• High-Energy Tasks: These could include work that requires deep focus, creativity, problem-solving, or decision-making.

• Low-Energy Tasks: These tasks might be routine activities, administrative work, or tasks that don’t require as much mental or physical energy.

Step 3: Create an Energy-Boosting Routine

Think about the actions you can take to boost your energy throughout the day. These might include:

• Movement: Incorporate short breaks for stretching, walking, or light exercise to keep your energy up.

• Nutrition: Pay attention to your meals and snacks. Are you eating foods that sustain your energy or cause spikes and crashes?

• Mindfulness: Include moments of mindfulness, deep breathing, or short meditations to reset and recharge your energy levels.

Step 4: Reflect on Your Sleep and Recovery

Your energy levels are significantly impacted by how well you sleep and recover. Reflect on your sleep patterns:

• Sleep Quality: Are you getting enough rest, or are your sleep habits leaving you feeling drained?

• Recovery Time: Do you allow yourself time to unwind and recover, or are you constantly on the go?

Step 5: Commit to Small Changes

Choose one or two small changes you can make based on your reflections. Maybe it’s scheduling your most important task during your morning energy peak or taking a brief walk when your energy starts to dip. Whatever it is, start small, and pay attention to how these changes affect your energy and productivity.

Wrapping Up

This fall, instead of letting your schedule control you, take charge of your energy. Remember, it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most when you’re at your best. By focusing on energy management, you’ll find yourself more focused, productive, and balanced, ready to handle the demands of any season.