Image by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels
Feeling tired?
Not getting what you want done?
Everyone around you is wondering WTH you’re doing?
Sound familiar? Whether or not you’re a solopreneur with a 9–5 or you’ve been able to work remotely at home, having a routine can be tough.
You have to organize all the stuff there is into systems for your business, all while forgetting that you need lunch.
Sure, that 99% may or may not be accurate (unless you plow through this article to check), but even so — many struggle with having a routine that works for them.
But don’t fear!
I got you.
As a prior messy to-doer myself, I know the steps that helped me turn around — that can help you, too.
Priorities first
First thing always comes first, right?
Unless you want to put the cart before the horse… that is.
Very bad attempt at using Photoshop Generative Fill (somehow I couldn’t get it right)
Nonetheless of what we often want to do, priorities often make headway— and that’s ok! What you need to do though, is understand that ahead of time & ask yourself:
- When is the best time to get it done?
- How much does this really need to get done?
- What people are part of this to-do that I need to inform ahead of time?
Even if they’re priorities, it doesn’t mean you sacrifice your breakfast & waking up routine just to do it…
You need to plan those priorities ahead of time.
The next point shares another strategy that can help keep your head above water.
Focusing on oscillations
Your energy cycle is an oscillation.
After you eat your energy goes up, and when you burn that energy it goes down. Another word for this is an Ultradian Rhythm, and it’s just as important as your Circadian Rhythm — which you may be more familiar with.
To understand your personal energy oscillations takes a bit of tracking, self-awareness, and sacrifice.
Why’s that? Because if you have a 9–5 or a schedule that makes you “sacrifice” your meals, for instance, then it’s going to be hard to know.
As noted from this article:
Just like an oscillation… rather than constantly “grinding” through the day and forcing things, you align your work habits with your natural patterns.
Following ultradian rhythms ensures that you operate harmoniously with the natural ebb and flow of your energy cycles throughout the day.
Next you may wonder, how can I have self-awareness to understand my cycles?
Becoming Self-Aware
What do you do on average during the day?
If you can answer this without batting an eye, I’m sure you’re aware of all you have going.
But what about what your body & mind have going?
Even if we’re constantly ourselves, it’s still difficult to understand all that our body processes during the day, this includes:
- Metabolizing food.
- Putting your thoughts into storage.
And so much more.
These functions, require energy to do them — in addition to all the to-dos you have. So if you’re grinding through the whole day without focusing on finding time for rest, then you’ll for sure feel exhausted!
Image by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
No worries though, here are some strategies to help you become better aware of your energy.
Note when you feel tired & hungry
An article I wrote recently paints these steps perfectly, I’ll summarize here:
Pick something that works for you, experiment, and then stick with it:
- Journaling
- Calendar scheduling
- Using Notion
These are 3 common options, the key is to make note of your daily habits & how you’re feeling to help you see patterns that give you an understanding on what you might change in your routine.
Also, you can simply focus on mentality- having conscious thoughts when you do things, like asking yourself:
- Am I tired?
- How hungry am I from 1–10?
These can give you better insight into yourself, helping you work better and less exhausted!
Stick to what works
People can say anything (like me), but if they don’t know you specifically, then how can they make decisions for you?
That’s where simply becoming more conscious of your every day habits can give you understanding. After all, it’s better than someone asking you, “Why do you look tired?”
By putting priorities first — but in their right place in time, and managing your day into oscillations, you can have a routine that helps you feel energized — not exhausted!
If you need more help, I can recommend my article Deep Work VS Light Work which covers in-depth energy management in your routine.