This Time & Energy Hack Changed My Life

A few years ago I was listening to the Hello Monday podcast with Jessi Hempel. This LinkedIn-produced show always has intriguing guests and great tips for life. The guest on this episode was Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love. 

Elizabeth shared something that revolutionized my life: give yourself your best time of day. Sounds so easy right? 

I started implementing this immediately. I’m a morning person. I love getting up early, having a solid routine, and taking things slowly as I welcome the day. My mind is sharp in the mornings. I’m full of energy and excitement. 

So even though I was still working a 9-5 job at the time, I put this practice to the test. I woke up early to be sure I included all my favorite self-care practices before heading to work. I journaled, listened to podcasts, lit a candle, and savored my coffee.

At work, I tried not to take too many morning meetings and blocked off the first hour of my workday to think, plan, and strategize. This made me feel more confident, clear, and organized for the rest of the day. 

Now that I’m a business owner, I still practice this. Every morning is “me time.” I continue my pre-work rituals and start my business day the same way I did when I worked for someone else. 

This simple idea gets me grounded and makes me feel like I’m attacking the day. So no matter what time of day you are the most energized and tenacious, try to give that time to yourself. Protect it at all costs. You’ll soon feel the benefits and see the results.

What is your most energizing time of day?