I actually read this book in 2016. It was one of the books I chose to read during my short-term sabbatical.
My One Word for 2016 was Energize. I chose the word because I wanted to improve my own physical and spiritual energy levels, and I also wanted to energize others such as the church.
As it turned out, I happened to read this book about a year before my stroke. Regaining energy has been one of my greatest challenges, so it seems like a good time to review.
Interestingly, I listed all of the following quotes before the stroke.
I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to improve time management. While we certainly need to leverage where we can, I agree with the authors, who say, “Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.”
Without the right quantity, quality, focus and force of energy, we are compromised in any activity we undertake.
It makes sense, then, to maximize our energy, not just time management.
The ultimate measure of our lives is not how much time we spend on the planet, but rather how much energy we invest in the time we have.
This matters, because energy impacts everything we do.
Performance, health, and happiness are grounded in the skillful management of energy.
We all have the same amount of time each day, but we don’t all have the same level of energy.
The number of hours in a day is fixed, but the quantity and quality of energy available to us is not. It is our most precious resource. The more we take responsibility for the energy we bring to the world, the more empowered and productive we become.
From the beginning of my spiritual journey as a devoted follower of Jesus, I’ve tried to start my days with God knowing that’s where my energy and strength come from. Since the stroke a year and a half ago, that is even more important.
In addition to spending time with God, I also try to maximize energy by eating (fairly) well, getting good sleep, and exercising (or therapy, these days).
What do you do to replenish your energy?