Personal Energy Inventory by Kimberly Kingsley

Personal Energy Optimization at Work

Are you energized at work?
Can you be yourself?
Do you express your thoughts and opinions freely?
Do you appreciate and value your co-workers?
Are you able to maintain your energy levels throughout the day?

Work is such a big part of life that if you can’t answer yes to the above questions, it’s time to re-evaluate and see how to better optimize your energy resources.

If you are energized at work, it means you have a job that is a good fit for you. In other words, it allows you to contribute your natural gifts and talents. This is hugely important, as each of us has unique gifts and if a job is not right for you, it is certainly right for someone else!

Here are some tips for optimizing your personal energy at work:

Be yourself – if something does not “fit” who you are, say so and offer to do something else. If you need to help out with something you’d rather not do, by all means do so, but be clear about what tasks are a better fit.

Put your diplomacy cap on – It’s super important to express yourself freely, yet appropriately. Self-expression supports energy flow, which is one feature of a healthy energy system.

Step back from gossip and negativity – It’s easy to get caught up in negativity, but much more energizing to tune in to the innate gifts and talents of your co-workers. All of have goodness inside, even if we don’t know exactly how to bring it to the surface. Paying attention to what is good about your colleagues, despite their imperfections, will free up your energy so that you can be more productive and present-focused.

Take charge of your personal energy! – There are many simple things you can do to keep yourself fresh and charged throughout the day. Here are a few:

Breathe Deeply – getting enough oxygen is vital for your health and overall energy levels, however most of us don’t get enough due to compromised air quality and shallow breathing. Rushing and stress can cause us to constrict and breathe from the chest and throat rather than the abdomen. This leads to stress hormones being secreted in your body, ultimately leading to a depleting ride on an energy roller coaster. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe – all day.

Take Mental Breaks – Walk away from your desk every hour or two to clear your mind. Taking a few deep breaths and stretching are great ways to redistribute energy throughout your entire body. This is especially important if you have a job that requires a lot of mental concentration.

Drink Water – It’s easy to get so caught up in the frenzy of work that you forget to drink enough water. Keep some close by and sip it throughout the day to avoid getting dehydrated. Prevention is the best energy management technique.

Empathize Wisely – Don’t get caught up in everyone’s stress and drama. Energy is contagious, so it’s important to be aware of how others affect you. Be compassionate without jumping on their emotional bandwagon.