Despite trying to keep myself going at full speed all the time (or perhaps because of it) sometimes I get into periods of time where my energy is at a low ebb.
Work doesn’t appeal to me, neither does exercise, writing, not even brainless activities like web surfing. I feel just drained of energy. In Spanish I would say that I have no “animo” related to animation. To be clear, it’s not a depression but a lack of will to do anything.
These type of days can play havoc with the rest of my week. Specially on days when I have more than enough to do already. I do what I can but without any real enthusiasm. I feel overwhelmed as things get done hardheartedly or don’t get done at all.
I recognized these patterns years ago but never knew what to do about them. I shrugged my shoulders and figured that this was the way that things were. Falling behind schedule was acceptable to me.
But no longer.
I can’t allow errant fluctuations in my energy dictate my life for me. So what to do?
Well firstly I recognize these periods of listlessness when they occur. I don’t just hope that they will go away but address them.
Next, get onto my scheduled activities and force myself to go through them. We all have things that need doing and need to be done well. Focus, focus, focus. Make an extra special effort to get things done right.
Lastly, economize my energy. I have things that need doing and things that would be nice to do. I focus on the essentials on these days. Leave the other stuff for another day. But note them down so I don’t totally forget about them.
The doldrums will still come and go over time but there is no reason why I need to let them rule my life.
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