Russ Dalbey's Blog

There are certain things you need to be able to succeed: drive, commitment, vision, support… and energy.

Going after your dream and putting a stake in the ground as an independent entrepreneur is definitely rewarding, but it isn’t always easy! There’s definitely some effort involved, and the rest of your life is still going to require attention too.

So how do you maintain your energy level when it seems like there are things that actually latch onto you, pulling and draining the crucial energy that you need?

Here’s some advice that I hope you find helpful:

1. Keep to a regular sleep schedule. You might think it’s great to get that extra three or four hours of sleep on the weekends, but actually, researchers have found that changing your bedtime or waking time by two hours or more upsets your circadian rhythms – the crucial regulators of your sleep cycle.
   Shifting your sleep patterns on Friday and Saturday nights can actually make it harder to fall asleep Sunday night and cause you to wake up feeling tired Monday morning, and affect how you feel for days afterward. So, while it’s fine to sleep-in a bit on Saturday and Sunday, experts recommend keeping it within a 60-minute window.
2. Watch your posture. Did you know that slouching can make you feel tired? Dr. Carolyn Dean, a holistic physician in New York, has this helpful tip for restoring your pep: imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head and aligning your vertebrae. Relax your shoulders, chest, and abdomen, and slightly tilt your pelvis forward. Hold yourself this way as often as you can while sitting, driving, and walking. If you strive to be conscious about maintaining good posture, it should become automatic within about a month.
3. Make sure you have the right lighting in your home office. A lack of natural sunlight can drain your energy. The fluorescent and incandescent lights in most offices can actually depress your mood, sap your energy and impact productivity. If nothing else, make sure to get a least 20 minutes of direct sunlight every day (even a cloudy day has its benefits!).
4. Make smart choices with diet and exercise. Be aware of the foods and eating habits that might make you feel lethargic. Take in food in smaller amounts more often; don’t have a big lunch or dinner after being hungry for hours. Make sure to get some exercise or activity into your schedule every day in order to maintain your energy levels.
5. Breathe, take breaks. Just taking a quick moment to close your eyes, breathe deeply and clear your head can be re-energizing. I always recommend incorporating short breaks throughout your day; even if it’s a quick 10-minute walk around the block, it will help your energy level immensely!

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business