Energy Level Optimization

This quote got me thinking. Early in my career, I struggled with how people showed up. I was often called too intense, I was often perceived as overwhelming, but the truth of it is I SHOWED UP! I was engaged, I was committed, and I wanted to make an impact. Not knowing why there was such a difference between how I showed up and others, I learned … that ONLY 31% of employees are enthusiastic and energized by their work? Imagine that almost 70% of the people in your team are there because they just have to 🫣 I honestly can't imagine that, which is why I implemented some solutions in my teams, most of it worked, some of it I’m still testing & trying … Here are some things I did: 👉 Trust & Empower: I involve my team in decision-making processes and push decisions to them when possible. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. 👉 Celebrate Feedback: I create an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive. It encourages continuous learning and growth. 👉 Connect 'Why' to Vision: I share a compelling vision to motivate team members and clearly explain why their contributions matter. 👉 Offer Development: I signal my commitment to personal growth with training and development opportunities. It sparks motivation and increases loyalty. 👉 Recognize & Praise: I acknowledge achievements and make saying ‘thank you’ my default. A little recognition goes a long way to boost morale and motivation. 👉 Promote Diversity: I embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the work environment, prompt healthy debate, and drive innovation. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: I encourage teamwork on projects. This builds a sense of community and belonging while also accelerating learning 👉 Challenge Comfort Zones: I push and encourage team members to expand their skills and what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 👉 Cultivate Inclusivity: I ensure all voices are heard. For example, I make sure extroverts don't steal the show and create the space needed for quieter team members to speak. Be the leader that serves, empowers and inspires. And all will go just fine 🙌 #EmployeeEngagement #TeamMotivation #WorkCulture

As I wrote in Fast Company last week, America’s grid is under more stress than ever before. Increased demand combined with a lack of new supply is pushing our infrastructure and our electricity bills to the breaking point. Part of the solution is already scaling fast, and it’s sitting on and in American homes across the country. Residential solar and battery storage systems networked together as distributed power plants can respond to grid stress in minutes. My article details the policy unlocks happening across the country as states work to take advantage of distributed storage as a resource for the grid. I applaud the work of decision makers who are working to make sure that the costs of new demand from data centers aren't pushed onto American families. Sunrun is proving that distributed power plants are critical pieces of energy infrastructure. Customer participation in our programs grew fivefold last year to more than 106,000 Sunrun customers, resulting in nearly 18 gigawatt-hours of energy dispatched to the grid—enough electricity to power 15 million homes for one hour. Meeting our energy demands requires rethinking our energy system, and there is no time to waste. The answer isn’t only more poles and wires. It’s millions of homes generating, storing, and sharing energy.

7 Neuroscience-Backed Ways to Master Your Energy (Not Just Your Time) Most people obsess over time management, but the most successful leaders focus on energy management. Because no matter how well you plan your day, if your mental, emotional, and physical energy is drained, productivity suffers. Here are seven neuroscience-backed ways to optimize your energy and operate at a higher frequency: 1. Start Your Day with Dopamine, Not Distraction. Your first hour sets your brain’s tone for the day. Scrolling social media depletes dopamine. Instead, move, breathe, or visualize your day to prime your brain for focus and motivation. 2. Master the 90-Minute Ultradian Rhythm Your brain works in 90-minute cycles of peak performance, followed by a natural dip. Work in 90-minute sprints, then take a 10-15 minute recharge break (walk, stretch, deep breathing) to sustain focus. 3. Move Your Body, Move Your Mind Exercise isn’t just for fitness—it boosts neuroplasticity (brain adaptability), increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and enhances problem-solving. Even a five-minute movement break can reset your energy. 4. Regulate Your Nervous System with Breathwork and Cold Exposure Deep diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting you from stress to clarity. Cold showers or splashing your face with cold water also reset your nervous system, increasing alertness. 5. The Power of Intentional Recovery Your brain doesn’t distinguish between work stress and emotional stress. Mindfulness, meditation, or even a 20-minute nap helps clear mental fog and improves cognitive performance. 6. Eat for Cognitive Clarity Blood sugar spikes lead to energy crashes. Focus on protein, healthy fats, and fiber to sustain brain power. Hydration is also key— even one percent dehydration reduces focus by ten percent. 7. Align Your Work with Meaning and Flow Energy isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and spiritual. Purpose-driven work activates the brain’s reward system, releasing more dopamine. The more aligned you are with your work, the less it feels like work. Your energy is your most valuable resource. Don’t just manage time—elevate how you show up in the time you have. ♻️ Repost to help you network master emotional intelligence. 🔔 Follow for strategies on High Performance and Wellbeing. #leadershipdevelopment #mindfulness #highperformance #emotionalintelligence #worklifeharmony

I used to believe every free day was an opportunity to catch up on work. 🔥Then I burned out so badly, I almost quit medicine. So let’s talk about something most physicians avoid: 🤔 How do YOU actually relax and recharge on your day off? Is your day off really a day off? I’ve coached hundreds of physicians through career transitions, burnout, and leadership growth. You know what I’ve noticed? Most physicians treat their days off like a myth. Instead of rest, they’re: ↳Catching up on charts ↳ Attending mandatory meetings ↳ Fielding urgent messages from patients or staff ↳ Managing family obligations Here’s what happens: 😨 The day disappears. 😨 You feel even more drained. 😨 Monday arrives, and you’re running on empty—again. Sound familiar? I finally learned that true downtime isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. But it doesn’t just “happen.” You have to protect it like a patient in cardiac arrest. Here’s how to make your next day off actually restorative: ✅ Draw a hard boundary. ↳ No work emails, no charting, no hospital calls. ↳ Tell your team and family in advance. ✅ Plan your recharge activities—on purpose. ↳ Schedule something that genuinely brings you joy. ↳ Not errands or chores. ↳ Think: hiking, reading for pleasure, or a long lunch with a friend who gets it. ✅ Move your body, but skip the guilt trip. ↳ Exercise isn’t punishment for resting. ↳ Take a walk, try yoga, or just stretch. ↳ Let it be playful, not another checklist item. ✅ Reflect, don’t ruminate. ↳ Write down three things you’re grateful for. ↳ Don’t replay last week’s mistakes or tomorrow’s worries. ✅ Protect your sleep like your life depends on it. ↳ Because it does. ↳ Set a bedtime alarm if you have to. ✅ Say “no” to anything that drains you. ↳ Even if it’s a “good” opportunity. ↳ You can’t help others from an empty cup. ✅ Try a “miniretreat.” ↳ Even 2 hours alone at a coffee shop can feel like a reset button. Here’s the truth: Nobody else will defend your downtime. Hospitals, patients, and even family will always fill the vacuum if you let them. But you can reclaim your day off. You can return to work recharged, sharper, and—yes—happier. So I’m asking: 🤔 What’s ONE thing you do that helps you actually relax and recharge? Share it in the comments. Let’s build a real list of ways physicians take their time back. 🔔 Follow me, Dr. Heath Jolliff, for more tips ♻️ Share with your network to help them

What's the hidden factor that makes some workplaces irresistible to top talent? Have you also noticed some workplaces feel energizing while others drain you? It’s not just about salaries, perks, or even mental health support. It’s about how deeply a workplace nourishes you, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. There’s an ancient Indian model called Panchakosha that talks about five layers of human existence. And honestly, it’s a game-changer for how we think about work. Here’s how it plays out in the workplace: 👉 Body (Annamaya Kosha) If your back hurts from office chair or you’re running on junk food, how can you focus? Investing in good ergonomics, healthy food, and movement isn’t a luxury, it’s basic human maintenance. 👉 Energy (Pranamaya Kosha) Ever felt like some meetings leave you buzzing with ideas while others drain the life out of you? That’s your energy at play. Workplaces that encourage breaks, fresh air, and even something as simple as deep breathing win big on engagement. 👉 Mind (Manomaya Kosha) Let’s be real, most employees don’t quit jobs, they quit stress, anxiety, and lack of psychological safety. Empathetic leadership, open conversations, and mental well-being initiatives can turn a toxic workplace into a thriving one. 👉 Wisdom (Vijnanamaya Kosha) People don’t want to just clock in and out. They want to feel smart, valued, and purposeful. If work aligns with personal values and offers learning, employees stick around and thrive. 👉 Bliss (Anandamaya Kosha) Yep, work can be joyful. But that happens when people feel seen, appreciated, and connected. A culture that celebrates wins, fosters deep conversations, and creates real friendships makes all the difference. Imagine a workplace that nurtures all five layers instead of just expecting people to "work hard." That’s the future of HR. So, tell me—how does your workplace really make you feel? #workplace #HR #corporateculture #businesscoach

Part 4: Finale We’ve discussed the long sprint, the hidden bill that comes due, & diving into survival mode.  This last piece is what sits on top of the roots – the daily behaviors that compound with time – sleep, movement, nutrition, connection.  The non-negotiables.  Slowly, we return to the state where we live, lead, work, and think our best. The morning is about routine and orientation.  Hydrate, get natural light into your eyes, move the body enough to let it know it’s time to start preparing for the day.  If you can delay the phone, do it!  Quiet moments before the notification storm is everything.  Caffeine after your system wakes up (delayed ideally) is optimal to ensure long lasting energy without that afternoon crash.  Midday is where cracks start to show for most people.  A short walk does more for your mind than anything else.  Slow inhale & exhales create space for you throughout each day.  Lunch should be focused on protein first w/ backfilling of veggies. Training/Exercise is a daily commitment.  BDNF. Strength & cardio. Clearing toxins while releasing those good natural hormones. This should be your foundation either before your work environment or midday/evening.  Ideally at the start of the day. Be in nature. Recovery tools: Sauna, cold, - my favorite modalities out of everything. Reset the CNS, restore calm, and feel brand new. Cold in am, sauna or hot bath in evening to wind down. Cognition: consuming tea/coffee early – not all day. L-theanine if you get jittery.  Omega-3s for long term support. Creatine if your gut tolerates it (5g daily).  Stay hydrated. Vit D3 + K2 if your blood work requires it.  Remember that NOTHING beats quality sleep. Periodically make the call vs text. It's worth it. Be mindful of what you consume digitally. They have real cognitive effects. PM: This is where many overdo it or forget.  Lower lights, dim settings, lower stimulation, create a state where your body is ready to maximize that sleep period.  Supplements if desired: Magnesium, apigenin, glycine.  Kick the alcohol. Micro meditations through the day compound. 30-60 seconds before a meeting, call, diving into tedious work. Shoulders down, slow exhales, eyes closed if you can.  Stay grounded. This is all to remind you to take your time in recovery.  For every block of time dedicated towards pushing harder – we need to also create systems that allow us to have constant readiness by returning to a state of being refreshed, crystal clear vision, emotional regularity.  Gratitude keeps is here and now.  The goal of any of these simple modalities is not perfect but progress.  Keep all routines simple enough to do consistently.  Slow is smooth, & smooth is fast. Remember that habits are not always what you INCLUDE, it’s also what you say no to.  Saying no is a superpower to get closer to the thing that is most important. “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts”.  -Marcus Aurelius

A positive workplace boosts morale and enhances productivity, employee retention, and overall organizational success. Managers play a critical role in shaping this culture. The top three things every manager should do to foster a thriving and healthy work environment. 1. Prioritize Open and Transparent Communication Communication is the cornerstone of any successful organization. Employees must feel heard and valued, and managers must bridge the gap between the leadership and the workforce. Encourage Two-Way Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from your team and create a safe space where employees can share their concerns, ideas, and suggestions without fear of judgment or reprisal. Be Transparent: Share updates about company goals, changes, and decisions to build trust. When employees understand the "why" behind decisions, they’re more likely to feel engaged and aligned with organizational objectives. Practice Active Listening: Show genuine interest in employees’ perspectives. Repeat and clarify their concerns to ensure understanding, and follow up with actions to demonstrate that you value their input. 2. Promote Work-Life Balance and Well-being A healthy work culture respects employees’ time and well-being. Managers must lead by example and advocate for policies that support balance and mental health. Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid a culture of overwork by setting achievable goals and respecting boundaries. Encourage employees to take breaks and fully disconnect during their time off. Champion Flexibility: Offer remote work options, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks to accommodate employees’ personal needs. Focus on Well-being: Introduce wellness programs, provide access to mental health resources, and check in regularly with team members to ensure they’re not overwhelmed. 3. Recognize and Reward Contributions Acknowledging employees’ efforts and achievements is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to promote a healthy work culture. Recognition fuels motivation and reinforces positive behaviours. Celebrate Successes: Small gestures can have a big impact, whether it’s a shoutout during a team meeting or a personalized thank-you note. Reward Fairly: To avoid feelings of favouritism, tie rewards to measurable achievements and ensure they are distributed equitably across the team. Encourage Peer Recognition: Foster a culture where team members appreciate and recognize each other’s contributions. Peer recognition platforms or informal shoutouts can build camaraderie and mutual respect. Note>> Recognition doesn’t have to be elaborate—it just needs to be genuine and consistent. >> #HealthyWorkCulture #LeadershipMatters #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeEngagement #WorkLifeBalance #RecognitionMatters #PositiveWorkplace #ManagerTips #TransparentLeadership #TeamSuccess #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture #OpenCommunication #LeadershipTips #MotivatedTeams

Rest is not a reward but a basic requirement for a long healthy life. Here's how to get more of it👇: Burnout can sneak up on even the most dedicated professionals. 🛑 It comes from a chronic lack of rest—not just sleep, but across several dimensions that impact our overall well-being. Why is understanding different types of rest important? ➟ It helps address the specific areas of fatigue that contribute to burnout. ➟ It improves overall health and productivity. ➟ It enhances your ability to sustain high performance over the long term. 1️⃣ Physical Rest: 💪 Split into passive and active. Passive includes sleeping and napping, while active involves restorative activities like stretching and massage. Ensure you incorporate both to help your body recover and rejuvenate. 2️⃣ Mental Rest: 🧠 Give your brain a break. Periodically step away from work throughout the day. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or simply taking short walks can significantly clear the busy mind. 3️⃣ Sensory Rest: 👂 Stop sensory overload from screens and background noise. Intentional breaks from electronics and finding a quiet, soothing environment can help reset your senses. 4️⃣ Creative Rest: 🎨 Replenish your creative energy by engaging with inspiring experiences. This can include enjoying nature, art, or any other pursuits that stimulate your creative thinking. 5️⃣Emotional Rest: ✍ Express and manage your emotions effectively. Identify activities or practices that allow you to process your emotions, such as journaling or meaningful conversations with friends or mentors. 6️⃣ Social Rest: 🙌 Spend time with people who uplift and support you, and minimize interactions that drain you. This rest involves nurturing relationships that are a source of comfort and encouragement. 7️⃣ Spiritual Rest: ☁️ Engage in practices that align with your values and purpose. This might include meditation, prayer, or community service. 📌 PS...Self care isn't a nice to have. It's a must to reach next-level success. ♻️ Share this with someone that needs to see this today 🚀 Follow Harry Karydes for more for more daily tips to engineer your ideal life through mindset, habits and systems.

Back-to-back meetings didn't make me more productive. They put me into burnout. People glorify staying busy as the price of success. But there's a more honest name for that pace: a boundary violation. One major adjustment in my own burnout recovery: Calendar Calm. Here's the system I rebuilt my work life around, and one my clients love. 👇 💾 Save this to redesign your work week. Today's Wisdom Wednesday... 9 Ways to Create a Calm Calendar. (Plus three bonus tips in the image) 1️⃣ Prioritize Stability. 👉 Build predictability into 30-50% of your schedule. 👉 Use standing times to create routines. 2️⃣ Protected Breaks. 👉 Schedule 2-3 breaks throughout the day. 👉 Treat them like non-negotiable meetings. 3️⃣ Defined Work Hours. 👉 Determine the beginning and end of your workday. 👉 Avoid work tasks outside those hours to build detachment. 4️⃣ Include Strategic Rest. 👉 Proactively put recovery activities into your work week. 👉 Exercise, social time, mindfulness, and hobbies boost productivity. 5️⃣ Track Energy Levels. 👉 Schedule focus work when you're at peak energy. 👉 Put admin tasks and team calls in low-energy windows. 6️⃣ Stop at 80% 👉 Leave 20% of your day/week unscheduled. 👉 Allow flex to handle last-minute projects. 7️⃣ Review Regularly. 👉 Take 20-45 minutes every week to plan ahead. 👉 Adjust accordingly for energy, workload and deadlines. 8️⃣ Use Proven Tools. 👉 Choose time management that works for your system. 👉 Try the Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro Technique, or a Two-Do list. 9️⃣ Ask for Feedback. 👉 Does your schedule strategy fit your job duties? 👉 Are you showing up when and how your team needs you? 💬 Which one will you try this week, 20% flex or protected breaks? 💾 Save + subscribe for weekly systems that build Sustainable Ambition: https://lnkd.in/gH2HnF3w

⚡New paper in Transportation Research Part B: Methodological Shared electric vehicles can do much more than just move people — they can actively help balance the power grid. Our recent paper tackles one of the trickiest puzzles in sustainable urban mobility: how do you run a shared EV fleet profitably while also managing batteries intelligently and supporting the electricity network? The answer? Combine three strategies at once: 🔋 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) — parked EVs feed energy back to the grid during peak demand 🏭 Battery-to-Grid (B2G) — stationary batteries at swapping stations do the same 🔄 Battery swapping — instead of waiting for slow plug-in charging, depleted batteries are exchanged for fully charged ones on the spot Built on a space-time-energy network model (Santos, Birolini and Correia, 2023)*, the optimization framework jointly decides charging/discharging schedules, vehicle relocations, swapping station locations, and the right number of batteries to keep in the system — all at once. Key takeaways from the experiments: ✅ Battery swapping is most valuable when fleet size is small — it compensates for charging bottlenecks ✅ In large fleets, the need for swapping decreases as plug-in charging capacity scales up ✅ V2G and B2G are effective tools for grid load balancing regardless of fleet size Given the scale of these problems, we developed a column generation-based heuristic to make the model computationally tractable — a nice methodological contribution. A timely piece as cities push to electrify shared mobility while grids face growing pressure from EV adoption. 📄 Yang et al. — "Optimizing Electric Carsharing System Operations and Battery Management: Integrating V2G, B2G and Battery Swapping Strategies" With Shuang Yang (visiting PhD student at TU Delft),  Jianjun Wu, and Huijun Sun. URL for the paper: https://lnkd.in/eYguKN_j Reference of previous work: *Santos, G., Birolini, S., Correia, G., 2023. A space–time-energy flow-based integer programming model to design and operate a regional shared automated electric vehicle (SAEV) system and corresponding charging network. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 147, 103997. https://lnkd.in/e8W9NDpn #ElectricMobility #Carsharing #V2G #BatteryManagement #SustainableTransport #UrbanMobility #OptimizationResearch Transport & Planning, TU Delft