At what point in the day do you check your phone? If you’re like me (and probably millions of others) you might be checking your phone before you get out of bed in the morning. Maybe you’re peeking at your work email to see what fire is waiting for you when you sit down to your computer. Maybe your checking out your calendar and building your mental to-do list for the day. Or maybe you’re scrolling through social media to make sure you didn’t miss out on anything that might have happened overnight.
Have you ever considered how those few minutes on your phone might impact your energy and performance for the remainder of the day?
There’s a quote by Robin Sharma that says “The way you start your day determines how well you live your day” and energetically speaking I believe there is some truth in that. Through my coach training at iPEC, I learned that your energy and ability to perform tasks throughout the day is influenced by several factors. The first is your interest level in the task at hand, the second is the amount of stress present, and finally any of the six energy influencers; physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, and environmental. These six energy influencers have the ability to fuel or drain your energy towards a specific task.
When you consider the energy impact of checking your phone first thing in the morning, it’s easy to see potential for energy leaks.
Let’s take checking your email for example. When was the last time you got an email from your boss that resulted in anger, frustration or increased anxiety towards facing your workday? Think about the impact this has on your mental energy when it’s the first thing you read in the morning. How excited might you be to begin your workday?
Now think about the last time you scrolled past a perfectly filtered photo on Instagram and compared yourself, your body, your family or your circumstances to it. How might starting your day with that comparison impact your social interactions or how you show up mentally the remainder of the day? The simple act of scrolling social media can trigger thoughts and feelings that might hinder your ability to confidently face your day.
Even the idea of checking your calendar so that you can craft your to-do list for the day can set you back by adding stress to your mind and draining your mental energy.
How can you start your day with an energy boost?
First off, eliminate the habits or activities that drain your energy first thing in the morning. Consider the impact that checking your phone might have on your energy and well being. If it isn’t fueling your energy try setting boundaries around when you pick up your phone, what time you check your email or how much time you devote to social media.
Second, think about what routines or activities give you energy and how you can incorporate those into your morning. Morning routines like prayer, journaling or meditation can fuel you spiritually and mentally. Beginning your day with some sort of physical exercise, whether it be yoga, running or a walk with your dog are great ways to increase your physical energy. If you feel energized after you connect with friends or family, consider establishing a routine of calling a friend on your your drive into work or during your morning walk.
The more aware you are of what influences your energy, the more you can use it to your advantage. When you understand what impacts your perceptions, feelings, and actions, you can recognize and change habits no longer serve you.
As a certified Core Energy coach, I do a lot of education around energy with my clients. If you want to learn more about your unique energetic profile, check out the Energy Assessment & Debrief session I offer.
- Crystalynn
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