Do you ever get to the end of the week and feel exhausted with no idea as to what you have achieved? Weeks just blend into to each other and before you know it another term is completed.
It is like riding an exercise bike -applying maximum energy and never moving forward.
The common answer to how you are is, “BUSY”. Just saying the word implies that there is no joy or productivity. But what you would love to say is “BALANCED”
This way of living is at odds with Dr Martin Seligman’s wellbeing model PERMA – Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Achievement.
These exhausted feelings are not encompassing the very elements that support your wellbeing.
Of maybe you are but you don’t realise it.
To help with this situation, I would like to share a strategy that will move you from busy to balanced.
Firstly, redefine TIME – Time Is Managed Energy. Managing your energy is more important than managing your time.
Seligman refers to doing things that give purpose (meaning), being with people who support you (relationships) and completing tasks that make a difference (achievement). All of these activities take energy. The time already exists.
More importantly, these activities energise you and produce the feel-good chemicals that fuel your ability to thrive.
So how do you get to be in the Energy Zone more often?
Introducing PACE
PACE is the four energy zones that we use every day to complete tasks.
Preparation
Administration
Contribution
Energistation
Preparation (Blue Zone)– tasks that require energy to prepare for Contribution to others or Energistaion of self - planning lessons, preparing for meetings, creating invitations for an event.
Administration (Red Zone)– tasks that are necessary to be done but doesn’t have any bearing on Contribution or Energisation– housework, report filling in, paying bills.
Contribution (Yellow Zone)– tasks that fulfill your purpose by making a positive difference in someone else’s life – delivering a lesson, collaborating at a meeting, supporting a peer.
Energisation (Green Zone)– tasks that give you joy either during or on completion – social meetings with friends, relaxing reading a book, physical exercise.
Implementation
Recognise – Think of every activity or task as an allocation of energy. What zone will you be in when the task is being completed?
Record – Enter the task in your calendar allocating the time it will take to complete and colour code depending on the zone.
Reflect – At the end of the week, look over your calendar, replace intended tasks with reality tasks and note the range of colours.
What is the balance of colours?
Is there more red zone than anything else?
Is there enough green zone?
What changes will you make to get a balance of energy?
What is your return from energy used to returns made?
The PACE model is a strategy for you to be more cognisant of your energy so you can make an informed decision as to whether you are busy of balanced?
What do you think?
I would love to hear your feedback.
