Do you know what truly energizes you?
I mean really energizes you.
Your first answer might be coffee. Fair enough. It deserves some recognition. But beyond caffeine, what gives you that boost that helps you focus, create, and get things done?
I ask because I experience a 3:00 p.m. slump regularly. My day is far from over, my deliverable list is still waiting, and yet my productivity seems to quietly leave the building. As a natural morning person, I save my most complex work for earlier in the day, but those important afternoon tasks still need to get done. That’s when understanding what recharges my energy becomes pretty important.
This past weekend, I experienced an unusual kind of energy slump. It was a 10:00 p.m. time slump. The funny thing was, instead of feeling tired, I discovered something important about where my energy comes from. As a morning person, this is usually the time I’m heading toward dreamland. But I was at a music festival with friends, and we were just starting to think it was time to leave when one of the bands started playing a song I loved.
The musicians were an older group, clearly with decades of live performance behind them. They looked like they should have been home and asleep much earlier than I usually am, yet there they were, absolutely bringing the energy. And that energy was contagious. It energized me so much that I had trouble falling asleep later. I felt like I could take on the world with all that newfound energy.
So, what energizes you?
We spend so much time managing project schedules, risks, and people resources, but we rarely manage our own energy as carefully.
At 3:00 p.m. on a workday, we probably won’t stumble across a live band that instantly recharges us. But we can create our own energy boost. Maybe it’s listening to a song that always lifts your mood, or watching a short music video that helps reset your focus.
For me, sometimes it might also be a quick conversation with a colleague. Sharing that you’re feeling low on energy and asking someone to help brainstorm your next step can be the reset you need to get moving again.
What helps you beat the 3:00 p.m. slump? Is it music, movement, a conversation, or something completely unexpected? I’d love to hear what works for you and I’ll share ideas in a future article.
With 20+ years project management experience, Barbara Kephart has led projects across industries like medical software, clinical trials, and cybersecurity. With experience teaching technical project management and stakeholder engagement, Barbara is dedicated to helping companies pivot, prioritize, and complete projects with Chief Project Officer-level expertise, project professionals, practical training, and hands-on management—without the executive-level price tag.