January: “Optimize Your Energy Month”

I haven’t written lately. For me the holidays come with a number of obligations to clients, friends and family.  There are also some “rituals” that mix with the obligations that have  become a part of the structure of my life. I would miss them if I didn’t do them. There are of course more moments during the holiday than normal to kick back a bit and enjoy some down time. Still, when January hits, I find myself a little less energized and motivated. With the dubious gift of less sunlight hours and more cloudy whether, I am also more reflective. This year I have decided to make January about renewing my energy in all sorts of healthy ways.
 
It got me thinking; we can all turn January into a month to practice new healthy habits that nurture our energy, heart, mind and body for the rest of the year. 30 days to fill up the cup and better support demanding leadership roles and schedules. I so often hear (and say), “I will start taking care of myself, eat better, exercise, etc., when I have this break, or this holiday.” Well, let's make that time now.  Sometimes small changes are profound. It may not require the “Paleo Leap” or the “Whole30”.
 
I will admit, as a change practitioner, I do like the idea of a 30-day shift. That seems like the right amount of time to start practicing some new healthier habits and see and feel the benefit. Many of my clients use January as “diet” month. This sounds very uninspiring to me and also not very joyful. There is something about the word “diet” that reminds me of restricting, limiting or diminishing.  That is not what I am really talking about. I want it to be “optimizing your energy” month. Having a vision for how you want to make your life more sustainable and filled with greater ease and joy seems more inspiring to me.  Renewing and expanding our energy catalyzes all the things we need for work and life: stamina, endurance, creativity and happiness. What this means for you depends upon your current practices in life. From my work with clients, these are the things that seem like practical options for consideration:

1. Nurture your sleep.  A good night sleep supports everything we need to do in life.

• Cut down on caffeine and caffeine containing foods (you know who you are!),
• Make a rule to not check your phone after 8 or 9 p.m. (the wrong e-mail can send your heart into palpitations)
• Do some exercise every day. Even a 15-minute walk counts
• Start a meditation practice (Lots of great APPs out there for this)

1. Eat to sustain energy.

• Food is medicine. You don’t need to be a dietician to know that there are foods that give you a quick fix and foods that are whole, healthy and provide more sustained energy. This has been a big one for me. lately I am asking myself, “Will this give me a 10 minute or 3 hour boost? I want the 3 hours so I am making better choices (yes, and eating less sugar).

• If you are attached to a ritual that you do everyday that is not as healthy for your energy, drop it for a month. Last year a number of my clients signed on for “Dry January” and they reaped the benefits. Sometimes we forget that alcohol is a sedative.

1. Retire your inner critic or at least send it on an long vacation

• This is probably the most difficult thing to do, especially for the high performing and successful client base with whom I am privileged to work. As one of my clients once told me, “I don’t need constructive feedback, I beat myself up better anyone else can.” Unfortunately this habit, probably above most others, really doesn’t boost our energy. In fact I think it is more likely to do the opposite. We may have needed our inner critic when we were building our competence and career but after that point (and probably before) it is an energy-zapping habit that is ripe for changing. Try being president of your fan club for a month. I would be surprised if it doesn’t buoy your spirit and energy.

 
There are so many things out of our control at work – even for executives who have great purview. But our body is 100% our responsibility. Much of the knowledge and strategy work leaders do require that they remain healthy, agile and prepared for disruption or change.  This requires a body, and bodies require nurturance, especially if you want to play the long game – and I know you do.