When I was working with Tesla during the summer, I felt I had to put my personal development on hold, because everyday when I got back from work, I felt mentally depleted.
It felt like a zero-sum game.
But finite mental energy is a fallacy.
Studies suggest it's not a depletion of energy, but a change in focus.
Instead of energy like a bucket of water being emptied, it's a hose that is channeled in a different direction.
So how to nurture your mental energy?
Here are 3 simple ways
- Manage your focus
- challenge the idea that you're "out" of energy at the end of the day, expand your energy by directing it towards something that feeds your curiosity and creativity
- Reflect on how energy flows between various areas of your life
- take time to look at your personal and professional projects, see how you can create synergy. Is there a topic you're personally curious about that you can bring into your work? This way you can grow in both areas at the same time.
- Surround yourself with energy expanders
- Connect with people who also believe in nurturing and expanding their mental energy.