It's been six months since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Hawke's Bay and I’m seeing some people looking pretty tired as we roll through winter.
Homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, people have had major disruptions to their businesses, there's uncertainty about the future, and we have an economy that's starting to stutter with high interest rates and well, the list goes on.
There are others though that are resuming business as usual and many more (probably me included) that fall into both camps at times.
So what are some of the things that make you feel supercharged and what are some of the things that make you feel drained? Well, let's explore these two big questions: 1) What energises us, and; 2) What de-energizes us when it comes to achieving our objectives?
There's no clinical basis to any of this, just my years of observations and you may have a completely different take.
When we love what we're doing, it's like having a pocket full of energy. It feels less like work and more like play!
When our friends, family & colleagues believe in us, we feel like we’re heading in the right direction.
Celebrating small wins along the way gives us a boost to keep going.
When we have just the right level of challenge, it excites us to take it on.
Sometimes you just need to trip that circuit breaker, get away from the work environment & have a recharge. Don’t use the excuse you’re too busy, because if you don’t look after yourself no one will.
Getting out & doing stuff, grabbing some vitamin D, watching what we eat & not having too many beersies (or whatever you fancy) can definitely make a difference to how we feel.
Doing the same thing over and over can make our energy levels drop.
When our efforts go unnoticed, it can take away our motivation.
When the expectations are too high, it can make us feel overwhelmed and tired.
If we keep telling ourselves we can't do it, it becomes harder to stay focused.
Our energy levels affect everything we do, in both our personal and business lives. When we feel energised, we can achieve amazing things. But when we're drained, even the simplest tasks become difficult. It matters because:
Hey, I get it - sometimes we have to do things we don't like, but don't worry, there are ways to make it better!
Try to focus on the good parts of the task or how it will help you in the long run.
Divide the task into smaller steps, and it won't feel as overwhelming. For more about this tactic, check out the book Atomic Habits by James Clear – you can purchase it here.
Sometimes, talking to someone about the task can make it feel less burdensome.
Promise yourself a little treat or fun activity after finishing the task.
So what is the ‘secret sauce recipe’ to achieving your objectives? It's all about finding balance and taking care of yourself along the way!
Keep believing in yourself, even if things get tough.
Aim high, but make sure your goals are achievable.
Having a plan helps you stay on track and focused.
Celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem.
