Energy > time > money (part 4 of 5)
a theory on identifying our most precious resource
This is part 4 of a 5 part series published each day this week (w/c February 3rd 2025). You can read parts 1, 2 and 3 via the links below.
If you’re reading this then something about my theory that energy > time > money is resonating.
Some part of you may agree that human energy is our most precious resource. One to be used, cultivated and grown now, not neglected today in the hope that we might still have it in abundance tomorrow.
So how do we prioritise - and obtain - more energy in the here and now? To help answer this question I’ll go back to our energy framework from part 2 of the series.
The energy we have inside ourselves to get up and pursue whatever it is we consider worthy of pursuing: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
Many of these points are clear as day but let’s not overlook the obvious in favour of the obscure. Each of them has value in and of itself but, as I’ve spoken about before at Manage Your Mind, the power lies in consistency and the magic of compounding.
Here are twelve of the most effective, but also most convenient ways to increase your human energy today in ways that will serve you now and in years to come:
Physical energy
Prioritise quality sleep - note the two active words ‘prioritise’ and ‘quality’. Prioritising means making a small but notable sacrifice to put sleep before something else (another episode, another beer). And quality means preparing well - a regular bedtime, limiting/eliminating alcohol, evening meditation, reading and not scrolling etc.
Cold water exposure - a tough habit to crack but so worth it when you do. My recommendation? A 30 to 60 second cold shower at the end of every hot shower. Get the blood flowing beneath your skin and feel deeply, physically energised for the rest of the day. It also helps keep your immune system running well and gets you outside of your comfort zone on the regular - a great mental exercise.
Drink 2l of water daily - so easily forgotten but so essential to consistent physical (and all) energy levels. Get yourself an inexpensive but good quality flask and make a habit of sipping away throughout the day. In my experience (as a historically terrible water drinker) it’s even better if the flask is brightly coloured, and has a built in straw. Maximum visual impact, minimal physical fuss.
See also: engage in a ‘wellness’ activity; enjoy a nutritious meal; daily movement (run/walk/cycle); yoga practice etc.
Mental energy
Read for 20 minutes daily - I’m an avid reader and always have at least one book on the go. I usually read before bed, but by that point I’ve wound down don’t need the energy that reading can offer. So a great way to gain mental stimulation from reading is to keep a separate book somewhere within easy reach during the day. I keep a non-fiction in the kitchen and take 20 minutes most mornings to read with my coffee. A sense of accomplishment, new information and a moment of peace before the day begins.
Today’s most important task - this is a great one. The night before, or in the morning, intentionally choose one task you have to accomplish today and make it your most important one. Personal, professional, spiritual - it doesn’t matter. Choose it and complete it. Not only will it encourage you to focus, it will also deliver a big dopamine hit when complete and get you into the habit of prioritising, an undervalued skill in today’s ‘business’ economy.
Get out of your comfort zone - another excellent daily habit that, sure, takes mental energy, but also returns far more than the initial investment. Identify one thing you can do today that will push you beyond your comfort zone. Exercise, social interaction, committing to something big (or small). We all have comfort zones of different shapes and sizes so this is all about knowing where your boundaries lie. Why not make this your most important task too?
See also: early rising by 05:00; social media blackout; sow the seeds of tomorrow etc.
Emotional energy
Make a decision - ruminating is one of my greatest skills. I ruminate and ruminate some more especially when it comes to personal decision making. On one hand being able to set out multiple different scenarios and eventualities is a great skill but it can also create inertia and in the worst cases missed opportunity. It’s also emotionally draining to be non-committal. So, pick one decision you’ve been delaying and make it today. Commit, move forward, gain the experience.
Talk to somebody you trust - as with decision fatigue, inner-dialogue fatigue is very real and very tiring. Like most people I have on-going conversations in my head about various things. I’ve learned how to make these more productive and fulfilling conversations, but until I’ve spoken the words physically with another person they often remain on a loop with no clear outcome. Connect with somebody you trust, steel yourself and share with them what’s on your mind. You’ll be surprised by how many people are out there just willing to listen.
Social media blackout - put simply, such an important thing do to on the regular. If social media has become part of the fabric of your existence then a spontaneous or scheduled, a 24 hour (or longer) social media blackout will remind you what life was like Before Instagram (BI). Or go one better and change your relationship with social media altogether. You will feel more.
See also: do what you want to do; say no to something/someone; headphones + loud music etc.
Spiritual energy
Connect with your people/places - they are all around us but so often passively observed. I’m talking about our people and our places. The people and places that we can connect with and immediately feel better about the world and our place in it. And by connect, I mean focus on the interaction we have with them. Put down the phone, dial in fully to the conversation or the environment and let the energy flow between you and the person/place you’re with.
Write/say something meaningful - in a world where words are cheap it can pay dividends to choose and direct yours with care. Of all the things you say, write or communicate of a day, make it a habit to reserve at least one statement - whether verbal or written - for better treatment. Write or say something meaningful to somebody you love, admire or who has done something of value. That somebody could even be you.
Meditate for 20 minutes - the direct connection. The O.G. The number one way I know to gain spiritual (and physical, and emotional, and mental) energy that pays off in every other walk of life. Give yourself a gift that will make the rest of your life better by learning how to meditate and practice it as often as you can.
See also: spend time with nature; engage in a breathwork practice; host a talking circle etc.
Thanks for sticking with me this week. I’ll bring us in to land in part 5…
You’re always welcome here.
JR