It's been 4 years since I posted on this blog. But I have been thinking about it for some time now. So call it procrastination or simple writer's block the end result is that I have nothing to show for the past 4 years on this blog. Maybe I got too busy with my new role starting in the summer of 2009 but I haven't stopped thinking about it. My reasons for writing are to keep my skills sharpened and also provide an outlet for my thoughts, learnings, insights gained from people etc.
I finally decided to pen something down when my wife shared a very interesting blog from Harvard Business Review called "Manage your energy not your time" (http://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time). I found it incredibly useful as I have always wondered about how to manage my stress levels when the work day gets incredibly busy. I am sure it happens to all of us when we have long days at work and we come back home completely shattered with no energy to connect with our loved ones.
The insights provided in the article refer to taking timeouts every 2 hours when working. Some people find taking 20 minute walks in the morning and afternoons during the work day as an opportunity to clear their heads and allowing them to come back to their desks relaxed and refreshed. In some cases people smoke cigarettes under stressful situations but found a way to cut down by using deep breathing techniques. I am an early morning person and find that by 3:00pm in the afternoon my energy levels are dropping and I feel sleepy. I usually rely on a cup of coffee to reinvigorate me but an hour later I am really hungry.
I have found that by introducing a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in my routine coupled with taking breaks from my desk I am now able to sustain my energy levels throughout the day and also engage positively with people and with tasks. I am not starving when I get home and that means I eat properly rather than like a glutton. I am able to interact with my kids and wife positively and have a proper discussion around the dinner table about our respective days.
But all this wouldn't be possible if I didn't have a good night's rest which for me is between 7-8 hours. To quote Tim Sanders, "Don't load up on info-carbs like your email Inbox, social media and TV news. Instead, spend a 1/2 hour or so reading out of a book that expands your mind, makes you better at your job or gives you a glimpse into the future."
I finally decided to pen something down when my wife shared a very interesting blog from Harvard Business Review called "Manage your energy not your time" (http://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time). I found it incredibly useful as I have always wondered about how to manage my stress levels when the work day gets incredibly busy. I am sure it happens to all of us when we have long days at work and we come back home completely shattered with no energy to connect with our loved ones.
The insights provided in the article refer to taking timeouts every 2 hours when working. Some people find taking 20 minute walks in the morning and afternoons during the work day as an opportunity to clear their heads and allowing them to come back to their desks relaxed and refreshed. In some cases people smoke cigarettes under stressful situations but found a way to cut down by using deep breathing techniques. I am an early morning person and find that by 3:00pm in the afternoon my energy levels are dropping and I feel sleepy. I usually rely on a cup of coffee to reinvigorate me but an hour later I am really hungry.
I have found that by introducing a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in my routine coupled with taking breaks from my desk I am now able to sustain my energy levels throughout the day and also engage positively with people and with tasks. I am not starving when I get home and that means I eat properly rather than like a glutton. I am able to interact with my kids and wife positively and have a proper discussion around the dinner table about our respective days.
But all this wouldn't be possible if I didn't have a good night's rest which for me is between 7-8 hours. To quote Tim Sanders, "Don't load up on info-carbs like your email Inbox, social media and TV news. Instead, spend a 1/2 hour or so reading out of a book that expands your mind, makes you better at your job or gives you a glimpse into the future."
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2 comments:
Even I feel starved by the time I reach home at 7 pm, so a fruit which is low in sugar would be good snack. Unfortunately the modern apple has been so cross bred that its high in sugar. A green apple (Granny Smith) would be perfect.
Taking a walk and drinking water also helps.
Mobile phone with internet connection is a real distraction :).
Thanks for sharing Surya. I agree that modern day fruit and veg don't have the same level of nutrition as they used to 50-60years ago. I was watching this program on BBC recently which compared the levels of nutrition in cabbage in 1914 and 1992 and it had dropped ridiculously low. Chuck the phone aside and go for a walk!
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