Transitions for life, People in Motion


Finding your own beat: discover your rhythm for work and play


Do you rise with the sparrows every morning, full of ideas and looking forward to the start of your day? Or do you come alive just as the rest of the world is reaching for late-afternoon caffeine? Most of us know intuitively how our body clock ticks and what internal time zone it is aligned to. But rarely do we take advantage of the power to be found by aligning our activities purposefully to the ebb and flow of our energy cycles. Our personal energy cycles influence our alertness and productivity at different times of the day. We can often get twice as much done in an hour when we're alert and productive than when our energy is at an ebb. Use dips in your cycle for activities that require a lower level of energy, like reading email or reviewing reports. Whenever possible, schedule important meetings during a high-point and avoid that bump-on-a-log feeling you can't quite shake. How do you discover your own inner rhythm? Keep a simple chart of when you are your most creative and when the brain fuzz creeps in. Note times you require caffeine or chocolate - this often signals a dip in your cycle that requires some artificial adrenaline to keep you going. After a week you will have a deeper knowledge of your own power cycle.		"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Tips for dancing to your inner rhythm:


Schedule critical calls and difficult conversations during peak energy periods. You will be a better listener, more in tune with what isn't being said, and will respond with greater brain-to-mouth coordination! Stuck with a critical meeting during your normal inner naptime? You can alter your pattern with even moderate exercise. Take a brisk walk just prior to the meeting. Putting your watch on your opposite wrist and taking notes with your non-dominant hand will also help keep the mind engaged (of course, you won't be able to read your notes). Avoid using artificial adrenaline (sugar, caffeine, stress) to keep yourself at constant peak performance. Over-stimulating your adrenal glands can actually impact your health over the long term and make it difficult to relax when you want to (sound familiar?). Your overall performance will be lower without the balance of mental release. Educate your immediate family and support staff on how they can align their requests for your time and energy to your cycle. Should your spouse bring up household problems during breakfast, dinner or bedtime? How can your administrative assistant align your work schedule to best fit with your available energy? Coaching Challenge Map out your energy cycle for one week. Change two recurring activities to better align with your energy cycle - one for a high-energy peak and one for a low-energy lull. Benefit by understanding the rhythms of those around you. Learn something new about the energy cycle of someone close to you and determine how you can work better with him or her using this knowledge. "Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time', is like saying, 'I don't want to'." ~ Lao Tzu

Resources


Discover your daily rhythm. Use the Energy Tracking Graph and find your own secret to time management. Learn more about adrenal fatigue at www.adrenalfatigue.org . Receive a free energy cycle makeover! Be one of the first ten people to contact Teresa at Transitions for life and receive a complimentary 45-minute coaching session focused on using the power of your own energy cycle. Call 972-208-0577 now!		Are you ready for more? Get a coach!