The Energy Metric
A simple solution to the problem of multiple priorities.
Priorities are the things you need to get right so the things you love can thrive.
In his book “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”, Scott Adams offers a simple yet powerful prioritization framework: the Energy Metric.
The way I approach the problem of multiple priorities is by focusing on just one main metric: my energy. I make choices that maximise my personal energy because that makes it easier to manage all of the other priorities.
Maximizing my personal energy means eating right, exercising, avoiding unnecessary stress, getting enough sleep, and all of the obvious steps. But it also means having something in my life that makes me excited to wake up.
… personal energy is anything that gives you a positive lift, either mentally or physically. Like art, you know it when you see it.
The concept sounds simple: do more activities that are energy boosters, avoid or reduce those that are energy killers. However, there are two important paradoxes.
(1) The interesting thing about personal energy is that individual actions which are energy boosters might look like selfishness. Feeling bad about being selfish might prevent you from doing things that energize you the most.
Like many other women, I often struggle with guilt if I first take care of myself before caring for others. The paradox is that to be selfless, first, you’d better be selfish. Remember the safety instructions on the plane? First, you need to put an oxygen mask on yourself, then on your child. Being in a good energy state will make you better towards others.
Adams proposes the following mental model to think about priorities:
You. At the center. It basically means eating, sleeping, and exercising right. If you ruin your health, other priorities don’t matter.
Economics. Your financial engine should be working right.
Family, Friends, and Lovers. You need love to truly enjoy life.
Community > Country > World.
Saving the world works best when you have already fixed all other priorities.
(2) The second paradox is that bad choices can be energizing. But only in the short run. We need to look at the Energy Metric in the long run, it’s akin to managing a business: some choices can boost your quarterly or annual performance, but kill the company in the long run.
Adams recommends a few simple day-to-day tricks, besides eating, sleeping, and exercising right, that can help maximize your personal energy:
Matching Mental State to Activity. Save your most creative tasks when you feel the most active.
Sitting with good posture. Your brain will read it as a signal to concentrate on work.
Tidiness. Although clutter doesn't affect everyone the same, decluttering generally makes us more clear-headed and energetic.
Don’t fear that you don’t know how to do the stuff. Fear is an energy killer. Start asking questions or do a flash google search, and you are likely to see that your problem has already been solved.
Don’t be an asshole. Being an asshole kills the energy of the group.
Image: mark-rothko.org