Energy management, not time management is the key to high performance. That is the topic of the book The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Scwhartz. The idea behind the book is that both the overuse and underuse of personal energy actually diminishes our capacity to accomplish things. That was a radical thought for a time management junkie to swallow but does explain a lot of the fatigue and dissatisfaction with results that they (we) can experience. So, time management, to the extent that it utilizes spiritual, physical, emotional or mental energy, but does not allow time to replenish them actually produces less results than properly utilizing and replenishing energy. Here are the four major energy food groups discussed in the book.
1. Spiritual strength is the ability to stay committed to the deepest belief and value that a person has regardless of external circumstances. This really answers the "why" question with respect to what we throw our life at. Its the objective of the others.
2. Mental energy (endurance) is the ability to concentrate and sustain focus. The power to pay attention to the important things at hand.
3. Physical capacity is measure in endurance, flexibility and strength. To work with energy and not just try to motor through the fatigue.
4. Emotional strength is the ability to function and respond in a broad range of emotions and the ability to bounce back after moments on extreme disappointment, frustration or loss.
The concept to build capacity for all four categories is a simple one that is the norm for physical training. You push all four dimensions past their normal limit then you create a system for recovery. The recovery system, in part, involves a group of positive energy building rituals. Rituals are those things you do habitually without thinking about them but they provide much of the recovery necessary to build energy capacity. The authors propose that energy management is the fundamental currency of high performance. If you face the paradox of needing this book’s advice in order to have enough energy to read this book (which I call the early morning need to drink coffee to be awake enough to make coffee syndrome) you will be relieved to find the “Bear in Mind” section (Cliff’s notes) at the end of each chapter.