Simon Tyler

Much of my work with individuals and teams over the last 10 years has had me working with behavioural and attitude assessments, helping my clients understand how they, and those around them, are wired. Knowing self is the only place to begin (for further evidence have a look at Nic Askew’s latest short film below).

Each of us has a unique make-up and combination of motivators, stressors and ways of coping. When the going gets tough, and your workload is magically increasing, expectations growing and time shrinking we each experience a physical reaction that we often ignore, patch over or cope with and never resolve.

My wish for you is that you always have the energy you need available to you and that you operate at your best as much of the time as you can. Your energy, which fuels your attitude, is the most powerful tool within your control.

You will need a combination of:

• Physical exercise – even when you feel mentally or emotional drained and time does not offer the obvious opportunity, it could be exactly what’s needed. This could be a run, a competitive game, a swim or a brisk walk. Those of us that feed on this form of energy boost often opt for the opposite; vegging out. No energy is gained.
• Socialising – yes spending time in conversation with friends, colleagues with no agendas, no timetables, no expectations. Those of us that feed on this form of energy boost often opt for the opposite; work harder, alone, press on. No energy is gained.
• Chill-out time – engage in stuff with no pressure, tv, reading, music, activities where the pressure is off, a buffer zone from the every day chaos. Those of us that feed on this energy boost often opt for the opposite; stay busy, work longer, keep the outcome focus, produce, produce, produce. No energy is gained.
• Solitary – time alone, perhaps with selected music, but often in silence, walking, away from the hubbub. Those of us that feed on this energy boost often opt for staying in the hubbub to get more done, to work it out, to find out more and more. No energy gained.

This week’s challenge (if you’re up for it).
Treat yourself to a sample of each of the four types over the next week and evaluate which (one or more) delivers the most clear and clean boost. Then commit to including a proper dose each week. You will notice the difference to your thinking, your sense of priorities, clarity, and ability to relax, to be creative and to work faster.

It’s very simple to be effective. It’s very difficult to be simple!

Good luck, keep it simple and let me know how it goes.