As many of you know, I write and speak a lot about focus and have been extolling the virtues of avoiding distraction by emails for many years now. But guess what happened last week?
I was expecting an email from my daughter, Sara, who lives in Melbourne -- now, nothing urgent you understand -- and what did I do the first thing I got up last Thursday morning? Yes, I broke all my own rules about not going near email at that time of day and I checked if her email had arrived!
Well, it had and it was great! But, while I was there another one caught my eye and I had a read of that. Guess what? Forty-five minutes later, I was still on email and had got nothing productive done!
I make a really conscious effort to ensure that I tackle my most difficult task of the day first thing in the morning -- and follow that rule unless I have a business engagement that takes precedence. I focus on that task for 90 minutes and then I take my first break of the day. Advice I did not follow on Thursday!
However, when I do live my own mantra, I know that that level of focus sets me up for the day -- increased motivation, feeling of achievement, and increased energy.
You see, one of the biggest challenges we all face is an incredible overload of information, which can lead to overwhelm. I come across this all the time when working with large companies and start-ups. It comes at us from all angles: the media, the online news channels, social media, blogs etc. It is endless.
This overload can also tip us into another dangerous activity: multitasking! I get so angry when I see multitasking being lauded as a virtue. There are even courses on how to do it better! Why does anyone want to be good at doing something that is ineffective?
What remedy do I often hear being sought for this malady? Quite often, I hear the cry, "I need to improve my time management!"
Now time management may well need to be improved, but, in my experience, it is more about choices and energy management.
You cannot eliminate those thing that come out of left field and need to be dealt with like death and taxes -- the crises will always be with us!
But apart from that we can choose what we work on, i.e., the most important things, when we work on them and for how long and, lastly, what our energy is like while we are working on them.
So, we focus to control what we can!
I reiterate my continuous assertion that you tackle the most difficult task you have to do in the day first thing -- when your energy is highest. That sets you up.
Work in bursts of 90 minutes, then take a break. If 90 minutes is too long for you, then make it 70 or 80. But, you must take a break -- and away from your desk!
Your day should not be viewed as a marathon, but a series of sprints. We can all do a few sprints in the day (at our own speed), but we are unlikely to even contemplate doing a few marathons!
Your break can be a walk outside the office, or just sitting somewhere quiet where you can breathe slowly. Taking a couple of minutes just to breathe slowly has amazing benefits. It clears your mind and improves your blood flow.
You now have renewed energy.
Remember that tiredness leads to frustration, anger, anxiety and stress -- none of which will do you any good trying to do good work.
Manage your energy. You will get more done, the quality of the work will be higher, and at the end of the day you will feel so satisfied and re-energized for the following one.
What will you do today to manage your energy?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.