Help! I feel brain-dead…how can I possibly be productive?

You eat well, you get enough sleep, you exercise every day, but your energy's at rock-bottom. Maybe it's toward the end of the work day. Maybe it's the end of the week.  Maybe it's the first day of your menstrual cycle. Maybe your biorhythms are at a natural ebb. Or maybe it's the dead of winter, and any sane mammal would be hibernating instead of driving to work while it's still dark out. Whatever the problem, here are a few quick fixes that can help you get back on track. 1. Recharge regularly. If you're staring at a computer all day, you're probably not moving much -- and lack of movement translates to lack of energy. Take a break and do something that gets you moving. 2. Get outside and get some sunshine. A lack of fresh air and sunshine deprives your body not only of fresh oxygen … [Read more...]

Your personal productivity suffers when you’re unhealthy

When you don't feel well, you have lower energy, and it's hard to be productive. Therefore, it's important to take good care of your health, to get regular check-ups, and to investigate chronic conditions you've resigned yourself to.  Given how quickly medical science advances, it's a good idea to check into the possibility of new treatments on a regular basis. Follow these tips, and you may end up feeling better than you have in years. 1. Practice good self care. Line up your routine checkups, screenings, and exams, especially if you're over 40 or suffer from a chronic condition. When did you last have a physical? Schedule future reminders in your calendar and stick to them. 2. Take care of your teeth. Good dental hygiene can add years to your life. Periodontal bacterial by-products … [Read more...]

What to do when you feel your energy slipping away…

PACING:  Plug Me In Even if you start out the day with plenty of fuel, you may eventually feel that energy slipping away. You can be zipping along just fine, then -- Boom! -- you hit what sports enthusiasts call "the wall." How well you handle your energy budget will determine whether you break through the wall and move on to the rest of your day, or just bounce off and slog through the mental mud. Try these tips to stay on the straight and narrow. 1. Stand instead of sit. You're not designed to sit for hours on end. Work regular physical movement into your work day, especially if most of your work is conducted at a desk. At the very least, stand up and stretch occasionally. 2. Give yourself a break. Failing to take breaks can affect your short-term energy and long-term health. Take a … [Read more...]

How do I keep my energy levels up during the day?

If you want to be like the Energizer Bunny and keep going and going and going all day long, you need to supercharge your metabolism -- the cellular process by which your body converts food calories into energy. This isn't necessarily easy, and it requires an understanding of your own biochemical makeup and metabolism. Here are a few ways you can get started. 1. Practice the power of eight. Boost your body's metabolism by exercising vigorously, lifting weights, eating 5-6 small, healthy meals a day, keeping yourself hydrated, and cutting back on stimulants. 2. Keep your glucose level up. If your blood sugar level drops too low, you may end up becoming tired, weak, hungry, nervous, and anxious -- and worse, incoherent. Keep quick energy sources close at hand, just in case. 3. Get … [Read more...]

Exercise? But I don’t have the energy to exercise!

It will infuse your energy and boost your mood. It will help you lose weight and decrease your risk of disease. It is a miracle! But 80% of Americans don't take it, even at its lowest dosage. Why? Because it's exercise. Exercising will give you the energy you need, because it speeds up blood flow and your breathing rate, which brings more oxygen to your heart, lungs, brain, and muscles -- and when it comes to high energy, oxygen is your friend. Here's what you can do to bring on the O2: 1.      Do something for thirty minutes. Any type of aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and lungs and improves blood flow. It also releases endorphins (nature's painkillers), improves your mood, and fortifies you against minor viral illnesses. 2.      Stop relying on your car so much. Walking is an … [Read more...]

How will sugar, water, and stimulants affect my work during the day?

Poor nutrition can be as draining as the wrong diet, and the consequences can sneak up on you. If you're constantly dragging, and you suffer headaches or an inability to get enough sleep despite following proper sleep habits, you may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency. Sometimes, all you have to do to power up your energy is to recognize the symptoms of nutritional imbalances, and then to take steps to address them. These tips can help you with that. 1. Get a good balance of essential nutrients. Things can go wrong with your body if you don't make sure it gets all it needs to function right. Check your symptoms, and eat more of what you might be lacking. Vitamins may be in order, too. 2. Replace favorite foods with metabolism-boosting substitutes. Too much sugar can activate … [Read more...]

The Critical Importance of Sleep to Your Personal Productivity

SLEEP: Learn to Love the Last Letter of the Alphabet You might be surprised to learn that there's a simple treatment that boosts energy levels, improves memory, increases your ability to concentrate, strengthens your immune system, and decreases your risk of death and injury in accidents. Amazingly, it costs absolutely nothing, and is available to anyone. It's called "sleep." Ever heard of it? Quality, restful, undisturbed sleep is one of the keys to maximizing your daytime energy level, but it may take a little tinkering to find what's right for you. Here are a few tips that can help. 1. Catch the right number of Z's. Experiment with finding the amount of sleep that's right for you, and stick with it religiously -- even on the weekends and holidays! 2. Nap wisely. If you absolutely … [Read more...]

Personal Productivity is Ultimately About Getting a Life

Are you working your life away? Yes, you, the one working six days a week, 12 hours a day. Oh, so you "rest" on the seventh day? Hey, even God rested on the seventh day. You, however, put in a few more hours. When did you confuse your job with your life? Leisure, wellness, fun, and stress reduction are all an essential part of any productive routine.  If you have a hard time kicking back, here are a few suggestions you should try. 1. Close the mental office "door" and turn off work each day. It's okay to love what you do; it's okay to have passion for your work. But you're not defined by what you do professionally. Stop being a workaholic, and learn to slow down. 2. Leave work on time, so you can get home and enjoy your personal life. Your personal life is at least as important as your … [Read more...]

Your Personal Productivity Personality and Self-Sabotage

Have you ever considered that your biggest obstacle to finding more time might be YOU? The way you react to the world may be the reason you stay overwhelmed. To fix this you need to look at your behavior, habits, and choices, and then figure out which ones to adjust in order to support your desired direction in life. Here are a few tips that can help you do just that. 1. Control perfectionism. Realize that some things are good enough as they are. Instead of worrying about making things perfect, learn to leave well enough alone. Obsessing over small details can be deadly to your productivity. 2. Refuse requests when appropriate. You don't have to say "yes" to everything, whether that involves accepting extra work or baking brownies for a kid's party. Set boundaries about what … [Read more...]

When The “Why” is Important Enough. the “How” is Easier

Have you ever wanted to scream, "Stop the world, I want to get off!"? If you feel that way, maybe you should -- because if you're racing to nowhere, you definitely need to step back and take a look at your priorities. Without the why in your life, the how becomes harder and harder. The solution is to determine where you want to spend your time in support of your plans. What are you committed to changing in your life? These tips can help you decide. 1. Spend enough time with the people who are dear to you. Never take your loved ones for granted, because they may not be here tomorrow. Make time for them when none exists, and treasure every minute. 2. Volunteer in a way that feeds your spirit and makes a lasting contribution. Volunteering shouldn't feel like work; it can be … [Read more...]