When my daughter, Nell, started 10th grade, she came home from her first day of school with a powerful realization: “This year, I’ve decided that I’m not going to waste my energy trying to fit in.” Instead, she resolved to focus on activities she genuinely enjoys and connect with peers in those spaces. Hearing this simple yet profound statement from Nell inspired me to reflect on the importance of Energy Allocation for Burnout and Productivity. 

After being diagnosed with a rare neurological autoimmune disease at age eight, my daughter learned to make intentional choices about how to use her energy. While her reserves may not be as abundant as others, the truth is that none of us operate on infinite amounts of energy. Therefore, being deliberate about how we allocate our energy is vital for everyone. 

When I refer to energy allocation, I’m talking about where we direct our attention and how much time we spend doing it. Nell realized that trying to fit in left her feeling exhausted, so she consciously shifted her attention toward what she enjoyed, allowing authentic connections and friendships to develop naturally. Though she may not have been fully aware of it, she was being intentional about how she allocated her energy.

My daughter’s insight taught me that energy management is a resource, much like money. We can save it, invest it, or waste it. Conducting an attention audit can provide valuable insights into the Profit and Loss (P&L) of our daily energy allocation. It will be helping us make informed choices about how we invest our mental productivity and emotional resources.

Conducting an Attention Audit for More Energy & Productivity

Set a Goal for How You Want to Feel by Day’s End

Consider the Overarching Goal of How You Want to Feel at the End of Your Day.
Reflect on the first thought that crossed your mind when you woke up this morning. Was it a sense of dread about rushing to get your child to the bus stop so you wouldn’t be late for an important presentation? Or was it gratitude for the freshly brewed pumpkin spice coffee waiting for you in your espresso machine? Notice how your energy allocation differs in these two scenarios: the former likely drains your energy, while the latter boosts it.

Continue this reflection throughout your day. Write down the thoughts you have in the morning and afternoon and consider how each impacted your energy. At the end of the day, assess your Profit and Loss (P&L) balance. Is it negative or positive?

 

Three Energy-Boosting Hacks for Energy Allocation:

1. Fill Your Space with Positive Reminders:

I put pictures in my office that remind me of fun family vacations. If I find myself falling into an energy-draining rabbit hole due to an annoying encounter at work, I can glance at those pictures for a quick boost.

2. Incorporate a Gratitude Jar:

Consider adding a gratitude jar to your routine. Whenever you experience a positive moment—whether it’s a compliment from a colleague or a treasured memory—write it down and place it in the jar.  On days when your energy begins to wane, read through the notes to remind yourself of life’s joys and help replenish your energy reserves.

3. Convert a Worry into a Wish:

When my daughter developed an aggressive ear infection that extended dangerously close to her brainstem. I faced the nerve-wracking reality of follow-up MRIs. As a radiologist, I vividly recalled the shock of seeing that initial abnormal MRI, leaving me in a state of panic with each upcoming scan. Feeling drained after every MRI, I decided to shift my perspective. Instead of obsessing over what the scans might reveal, I began to wish for a clean brain MRI. Amazingly, as I focused on that wish, the abnormalities started to resolve, and I stopped exhausting myself by hovering on the brink of panic.

 

Here Are Some Basic Guidelines on Energy Allocation:

1. Write down 2-3 thoughts you had in the morning, afternoon, and evening throughout your day.

2. Highlight thoughts that drained you in red and those that energized you in blue.

3. Evaluate whether your P&L balance is working for you. Was there significantly more red than blue? If the balance sheet isn’t where you want it to be. You can consider choosing a thought or focusing your attention on something that recharges your energy instead of depleting it.

 

How to Evaluate Your Energy Profit & Loss Balance

The first step in optimizing your profit and loss balance sheet, your P&L, is recognizing your energy losses and actively taking steps to minimize them. Then, shift your focus on creating energy profits.

Which of these hacks resonated most with you? Do you have other strategies to share?

 

Investing Your Energy

Your choice to read this article and implement these hacks is an investment in your energy.

I hope it pays huge dividends!

And if you’re interested, click the link to get my Daughter’s Book, My Hospital Story.

 

 

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