Do you often experience extreme fatigue or frequent burnouts? You want to live life your way, but some daily activities are beyond your control and can drain your energy. The more energy you lose, the more exhausted you feel. Over time, this compounded drain can lead to burnout, which has long-term consequences on your overall well-being.
While we can’t completely eliminate energy drains, there are tools and strategies you can use to minimize their impact. One powerful approach is Energy Management Accounting. Let’s explore how it works.
Scenario: The Break Room at Work
Imagine this: there’s a coffee or breakout room at your workplace. At certain times, it gets busy and noisy.
- Scenario A: You have a job that requires frequent phone conversations. During your break, the last thing you want is to talk more. Instead, you prefer to put on headphones, listen to music, and zone out to recharge.
- Scenario B: Your job demands intense focus, and distractions are unwelcome. You often wear headphones and avoid talking to others while working. During your break, however, a casual chat with a colleague helps you recharge.
Though these two approaches are different, they share a common goal: finding a way to recharge energy. In both cases, the solution is simple: observe when the break room is busy. After just 2-3 days, you’ll likely notice a pattern—people are creatures of habit. Once you identify the quiet periods, you can adjust your routine to match, allowing you to recharge effectively and avoid burnout.
Energy Audits: The Key to Managing Your Day
The break room is just one aspect of your day. A full energy audit means assessing everything from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. For each activity, ask yourself:
- How does this make me feel?
- Is this a positive or negative energy experience?
- If it’s negative, what can I change to reduce its impact?
Here’s an example: You always grab coffee from the same shop because you love their brew, but recently it’s been busier, and the noise is draining your energy. What can you do?
Option A: Go during a quieter time and ask if you can pay in advance, so your coffee is ready for pick-up at a specific time.
Option B: If you have a coffee machine at home, ask the café what beans they use so you can recreate the experience at home, avoiding the energy-draining interaction altogether.
Conducting Your Own Energy Audit
Understanding what drains your energy may be challenging, especially if you feel like daily life itself is exhausting. An energy audit helps you break it down. Start by listing every activity, noting whether it provides positive or negative energy.
Example Energy Audit:
| Activity | Energy Use | Positive | Negative | What Can You Change? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waking Up | Alarm | Yes – I like it | ||
| Getting Dressed | Rushing between the kids | No – It stresses me because I’m not on my schedule | Can you wake up earlier or later? | |
| Eating Breakfast | Coffee & toast | Yes – I listen to a podcast while eating | ||
| Commuting to Work | Bus | No – It’s busy and noisy | Can you take an earlier or later bus? Can you cycle or drive instead? |
By reflecting on your day like this, you can see where small adjustments could lead to significant improvements in your energy levels. While you can’t change everything, focusing on manageable tweaks can help reduce the overall energy drain and give you the space to tackle larger, more complex issues over time.
Coaching Support for Energy Management
Energy management is not just about surviving the day—it’s about thriving. As a coach, I can help you conduct a comprehensive Energy Management Audit, guiding you to improve your energy balance across all areas of your life. By making these changes, you’ll experience less fatigue, prevent burnout, and start living the way you want.
Let’s work together to create a daily routine that supports your energy and well-being.
Beyond the Box Neurodiverse Life Coaching specializes in helping adults manage their energy and thrive in daily life. Reach out for personalized coaching support today.
