The Energy Management Series - Part 6: Discuss and Delay
The Mid-Week Energy Boost #21 - Read Time: 3 Minutes
For (non emergency) decisions, discussion with a friend or trusted colleague can reignite your energy, open up new perspectives and offer alternative solutions which may not have been clear during the heat of the moment.
Taking a break from a situation helps not only remove any fervour but also gives the opportunity for a better overview.
This coupled with the external perspective of a trusted friend will help make the solution clearer and, as such, the decision better.
Delay
Few decisions in life need to be taken immediately.
- Should I employ this interviewee?
- Will I rent this office space?
- How do I deal with the two colleagues who have had a conflict today?
Haste, in some cases, comes at the cost of a well-considered, non-emotional decision and the long term good of the company.
In all likelihood the interviewee and office space will still be available after a few days and, if not, other candidates and workspaces will arise. Two conflicting colleagues will likely be less emotionally charged the next day or will have resolved their issues themselves having taken the space to evaluate.
Delaying decisions reserves energy by removing the imminent pressure to act and the stress and anguish which accompany it.
Rarely will delaying a non-emergency decision come at a cost. In fact, it will allow you the breathing space and room for consideration which may prevent you from jumping headfirst into a terrible decision.
The data are clear; time management is only one half of the formula.
If we are to make extraordinary in-roads on our goals, we must manage both our time, through priority-based scheduling, and energy impeccably.
We must employ the principle of ‘Minimum Effective Dose’ religiously, be invitational to those who energise us and manage decision fatigue judiciously.
The creation and implementation of these processes within your own context will undoubtedly lead to exponential growth within your life, career and domain of expertise.
Journaling Points
Do you employ consistency or intensity?
In which areas of your life do you need to apply the ‘Minimum Effect Dose’?
Who are the people that energise you?
Do you protect yourself from decision fatigue?
If not, what strategies can you implement to improve this?
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