Energy Surfing

Yet Another Maekan Briefing Intro.

Over the last few weeks, I've had wide fluctuations in my energy. Some days I've struggled to focus, other days the world has melted away and I've forgotten to eat for hours as I tunnel into the work. 

Initially, this was frustrating and hard to deal with as I tried to balance work, friends, family, and my own needs. I was hoping that energy would align to the events on my calendar and that I could summon my attention when I needed to. It just so happened that I caught up with a friend during the same period who had also struggled with this earlier in his life, similarly in a switch away from a corporate role into an independent career. 

This friend happens to be surfer, which led him to share the advice I needed to hear: "You have to ride the waves you're given." He reminded me that while there are definitely things we can do to better manage our energy, lots of things are outside of our control. Some days - especially over the past few months - we get news that throws us off course. Or some things just don't click. Other days we're in flow when we want to rest. Rather than fight it - or trying to surf a wave that isn't there - he encouraged me to harness it. To breathe in the present moment and do the work that was in front of me. 

While hearing that - and saying it to myself over and over - was helpful, it hasn't been easy to put into practice. I'll regrettably want to make progress on a project, only to find myself with too much physical energy at my computer and choosing to run instead. 

As I learn how to be a better energy surfer, I'll pass on the advice to you, in hopes that it may help with the current tides in your life.