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VARS* score: 3.5 / 5 LINKS: * VARS: Vixabs Amazing Rating System |
The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not
Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal
Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz I recently
read this innocuous sounding book and was pleasantly surprised by its perspicacity,
its structure and presentation and the message it conveys.
This book
starts off with a startling observation that the key to high performance is
not managing "time" as is commonly perceived, but managing
"energy", i.e. one has to be fully "engaged" in order to
peak perform.
The
examples the authors use are beguiling. They say we should look at our life
as a "series of sprints" and not "a marathon", i.e. put
in a 120% effort when working, but equally put in 120% effort into
disengagement/ chilling, rather than constantly "plodding" along.
In other words, expend maximum energy and then recover it. Its the same
concept as maintaining the heart's health through physical exercise - in this
case, the authors recommend that we adopt this along all energy dimensions.
What is
full engagement - it means skilful management of energy along all dimensions:
· Physically energised - quantity of energy
· Emotionally connected - quality of energy
· Mentally focussed - focus of energy
· Spiritually aligned - force of energy
Apparently
most of us are under-trained physically and spiritually and over-trained
mentally and emotionally. We can build on all fronts systematically by
starting off the physical dimension (exercise) which in turn gives emotional
well being in terms of giving a more positive outlook to life as opportunity
rather than a threat. This in turn builds a positive mental attitude and
improves concentration, which then leads on to the spiritual dimension
(honesty, integrity, persistence, etc.)
So it all
boils down to the physical. How to manage physical energy?
1) Go to bed early and
wake up early
2) Go to sleep and wake
up consistently at the same times
3) Eat 5 to 6 small
meals daily
4) Eat breakfast every
day
5) Eat a balanced
healthy diet
6) Minimise simple sugars
7) Drink 48 to 64 ounces
of water daily
8) Take breaks every 90
minutes during work
9) Get some physical
activity daily
10) Do at least 2
cardiovascular interval workouts and 2 strength training workouts a week.
Stay healthy, happy, connected and aware.
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Where: Hong Kong When: February 2008 |
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