One in 5 employees suffers from work-life balance. That's why I collected practical tools to keep my energy high over the past few years. I'm happy to share them with you!
Top day at work? Then you come home recharged. Rotten day? Then you often just plop down on the couch. And vice versa: after a good weekend you perform better, problems at home undermine your work. So you can 't separate home and work, and neither can the energy you get from them. How do you keep your energy high, at home and at work?
1. E=mc²
Put Einstein's formula to work for you! E is energy, m is motivation and c is competence. If you can do work that you enjoy doing and can do well, that matches what you care about and where you can develop what you want to develop, then:
- you have an energy level of 10/10: you can handle anything!
- you are enthusiastic, and that makes the difference between mediocrity and success
- show your commitment: you remain loyal to your employer
- You are at the helm of your career and life
2. Do 30 fun things
Make a list of 30 things you like to do that give you energy. Don't look too far: my list includes 'taking a bath', 'drinking cappuccino', 'walking', 'sauna', ... If you had a less-than-pleasant day at work, do something from your list to get your energy back. Also ask your partner about his/her energizers and surprise him/her with something from his/her list!
3. Breakfast better
A good breakfast is essential to start your day full of energy. Marjolein Dubbers of Energetic Women Academy wrote an interesting e-book with 14 original recipes to start your day healthy and tasty.
4. The power of thoughts
I am convinced that we become who we think we are. So I try to focus my thoughts positively in order to refuel energy. I do this by listening to CDs of positive affirmation and beautiful music. I also listen to the news less and surround myself with positive people.
5. Think. Feel. Do.
According to Buddhists, the connection between thinking, feeling and doing is an important condition for happiness. Don't you want to do that project? Or don't feel like doing that party? Does it feel bad and you do it anyway? Then chances are you are losing a lot of energy. Learn to say no when something really doesn't feel right for you.
6. Communicate nonviolently
Conflicts are real energy guzzlers, you know that. Both at home and at work. Often the cause is violent communication, with lots of you's and always's. These generate resistance, which only increases the distance.
Defuse conflict with nonviolent communication, in 4 steps:
- Begin your sentence with I and name something you can objectively perceive.
- Say how you feel about that.
- Tell what you want or need.
- Make a request to the other party.
That's how you get out of the trenches and get things moving again.
7. Close gratefully
Every night write down 5 things that happened that made you feel good. A smile from your child, for example. Or a hug, a new client, an inspiring article, ... That way you sleep differently and focus on the positive during the day. And what gets attention, grows.