A Challenge for You

We all intellectually know how critical it is to manage our energy (even more than our time). The question is, though, whether we actually practice what we know is critical for us to be high performers/high functioning in our lives.

In listening to a podcast episode this week where one of the hosts was sharing their recent cancer diagnosis it got me thinking.  Someone had made the recommendation that they stop working on two specific projects.  The immediate reaction was a sigh of relief… yes, that feels so right to let those go.

I used that moment on my walk to ask myself, if I got a diagnosis like that today and preserving my physical and emotional energy was critical, what would I walk away from first? A professional commitment was the first thing that immediately jumped to mind because it feels like an obligation rather than something I still want to keep doing. 

I'm going to continue to reflect on this question because one of my words for the year is simple/simplify. I know that I want to focus on the people and activities that bring me joy and fun, fill me up, and help me feel that I am making a difference.

• What are the activities or people commitments you would take off your list if you were at a critical point in your life where all of your energy mattered?

• What if you made that choice today vs. waiting until you were forced to make the choice?

• Would your life be fuller?

This is a deep topic for the week, but I believe we all deserve amazing lives. Sometimes, as achievers and over-achievers, we put so much in that we actually aren't living the lives we want.

What will you take off the list today?