manage your energy for better results

This quote points to a key idea: the work you produce reflects the energy you put into it. It's not just about how hard you work, it's about the focus and feeling you bring. Think of it like this: your brain and body are constantly using energy, and how you direct that energy matters.

Think about it. If you're just not feeling it, if you're just trying to get the task over with, you can tell. You're just putting in the bare minimum, not really engaging with what you're doing. The work you produce will probably feel... flat. Like it's missing something. There's no spark, no life to it. But then, if you're really invested, if you're genuinely trying to get a message across, or express an idea, it's completely different. You can feel the energy coming off the work. It's like you've poured a part of yourself into it, and you can sense that passion. It's vibrant, it's engaging, it feels real.

It's not always about being happy and positive. Sometimes, getting frustrated, angry, or sad can push you to create something. Those feelings, if you use them right, can make you create art, solve problems, or even grow as a person. It's like turning those strong feelings into something useful.

When you're completely frustrated with a situation, that feeling can actually drive you to learn a new skill, or push you to try something completely different. It's like, you're so fed up, you have to change something. But the important thing is, you've got to grab hold of that energy, really focus it, instead of letting it just fester and make things worse. You can either let it eat you up, or you can turn it into something powerful.

How you feel about your work also affects you. When you do your work with excitement and purpose, you often enter a state of "flow." Flow is when you're completely absorbed in what you're doing, time seems to fly by, and you feel a deep sense of satisfaction. This state is created when your skills are challenged but not overwhelmed, creating a perfect balance. When you're in flow, your brain releases chemicals like dopamine, a reward system to help you feel good and focus even better. Self-determination theory tells us that we're most motivated when we feel autonomous (in control), competent (skilled), and related (connected). When you feel these things, you're likely to experience flow and bring positive energy to your work.

On the other hand, bad energy, like feeling upset, worried, or just not caring, can really hurt your work. It makes it hard to think clearly and be creative. It can become a bad cycle, where bad feelings lead to bad work, which makes you feel worse.

Know what kind of energy you're bringing and learn how to handle it. Understand your feelings, think about what makes you tick, and finding meaning in your work.

Make it a priority to manage your energy and cultivate flow -

• Try to find tasks that challenge you just enough. Set clear goals and break them into smaller steps to maintain a sense of progress.

• Take care of your body: get enough sleep, eat good food, and move around a bit.

• Exercise to increase blood flow and deliver oxygen to the brain.

• Try to be more mindful, or even meditate. It can help you know how you're feeling and learn to control it.

• Keep your workspace organized and tidy. It will make a bigger difference than you might realize.

Your work shows who you are inside. It shows what you care about and how hard you try. Whether you're making something amazing, doing a simple task, or dealing with a tough situation, the energy you bring will change how it turns out. It’s about being aware. Noticing when you're truly engaged, and when you're just going through the motions. Figure out what drives you, and find ways to get into that 'flow' state. Do that, and you'll not only see a real difference in your work, but you'll also find a much deeper sense of satisfaction.

If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter could you do me a favor? If you have any suggestions, comments, or even just a quick note, please don't hesitate to reply to this email. I value your perspective and I'd love to hear from you.