Daniel Day Lewis made history by being the first male actor to win three Academy Awards in the best actor category. He won for “Lincoln” (2013), “There Will Be Blood” (2007) and “My Left Foot” (1989).
According to Steven Spielberg, Daniel Day Lewis acts using a method in which he never breaks character on the set. His roles become all-consuming. He goes full throttle into every part that he plays — one of the main reasons for his immense success in the dramatic arts.
Unfortunately for the movie industry, Daniel Day Lewis recently announced he was taking a needed break for a few years. He called it “a lie down.” His comments alluded to the notion that he was burnt out from his current job.
Many people are like Daniel Day Lewis. They go full throttle at work. Their jobs are all-consuming and it is non-stop from one day to the next.Unlike Lewis, most of us are not multimillionaire actors who can leave our careers for years at a time and just “lie down.” Instead, we must figure out ways to go full throttle without burning out.
The secret to going full throttle is to harness your internal energy rhythms. Our bodies have a natural internal energy rhythm. You can feel it: Place two fingers on the side of your neck and get your pulse. This is the rhythm of life. This is your internal energy rhythm. Once you tap into your energy cycles at the right time, you will not only maximize your productivity but also prevent burnout.
You can accomplish this “Full Throttle” process in three easy steps:
Step 1: Become aware of the rise and fall of your natural energy levels.Does your energy soar in the morning? Does it take a skid after lunch? Do you have a second wind in the afternoon?
While most individuals will have a few peaks and valleys throughout the day, everyone is unique. Knowing when your energy soars as well as when it droops is the first step in going full throttle without burning out.
Step 2: Create an energy to-do list.Most successful individuals create a to-do list. Here is a twist — quantify those activities on your to-do list in terms of three different levels of energy: high, moderate and low. Meeting with a disgruntled client may take immense energy whereas sending out e-mails requires low energy.
Step 3: Create an energy plan in which you match tasks to your energy levels.More specifically, place the most demanding energy tasks at times when your energy is soaring. Position moderate energy level tasks for times in the day when your energy begins to slide and do low energy tasks when you have bottomed out.
My energy peaks in the morning, so I write this column and do my creative work early in my day. I also have another peak around 2 p.m. and I have scheduled to teach my classes then. This matching system has allowed me to be very productive at the right times during the day.
On the flip side, if I did my high-energy tasks when I had naturally low energy, I would be forcing my creativity. Not only would this make me less effective, it would also zap my energy, and increase my chances of burning out.
Energy rhythms are all around us — the ebb and flow of tides, the migration of birds, the moon orbiting the Earth, and the Earth orbiting the sun.
There is a rhythm to the universe.
Once you capture those rhythms in your life,
then you will be able to go full-throttle without burning out.
With our thanks to the author:
Dr. Gregg Steinberg is a professor of human performance at Austin Peay State University. The author of the Washington Post bestselling book, “Full Throttle,” he coaches business executives and professional athletes on their mental game.
Seed Newsvine
