Shecky’s

Consider this: You work 12 to 14 hours a day, feel exhausted all the time, and can barely stay awake long enough to watch Sex and the City reruns. Having fun with your friends is a thing of the past, you’re eating meals at your desk and you haven’t felt rested in weeks.

If this describes you, here are a few tips to give you a shot of energy at work.

Manage your energy cycles. Energy is managed in cycles. You stretch your energy during work and restore it during rest. Long periods of continuous work or rest operate in the same way—they are both less-than-ideal states to be in. Manage your energy cycles at work by taking short breaks to stretch, have a glass of water and recharge. Remembering to focus on your breathing can calm you down and dramatically improve your sense of well-being.

Do less. If your to-do list for today is spilling over to the weekend, you know you’ve got a lot on your plate. Stop for a minute. Pick a day, any day. Then, try something radical: Do less. Instead of having 30 things on your list, prioritize. List five or seven items that you absolutely must accomplish by the end of the day. Focus on those tasks first. Just once a week, use the “do less” technique and you may feel more relaxed and in control of your schedule.

Go ergonomic. You know you should have your monitor at eye level and your wrists resting comfortably when you’re at the keyboard. If your company isn’t willing to shell out for an ergonomic chair, a smart cushion will give your back additional support. At your desk, ensure that there is enough space for your knees to fit comfortably under the tabletop. If you use a laptop, consider investing in an ergonomic mouse that helps you relax your shoulders by giving you freedom of movement.

Unplug. If your work doesn’t require you to be online all day long, log off. Check email only occasionally, turn off that reminder, and let yourself go online only when you have completed a predetermined task. You’ll feel less stressed when you don’t feel the pressure of having to reply to every email or IM that pops up on your screen.

Photo credit:WORKS by Nicole Williams

-Chryselle D’Silva Dias for WORKS by Nicole Williams

Nicole is the bestselling author of three books, the latest of which, Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success, has been optioned by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, the producers behind the Academy Award winning films American Beauty and Milk. The company she founded, WORKS by Nicole Williams, is the go-to resource for career-minded young women and was named one of Forbes magazine’s Top 10 Career Websites for Women. You’ve seen her on TV—as a regular guest on Today, Good Morning America and CNN—and in print, where her advice has appeared on the pages of ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire and the Wall Street Journal.  Nicole was recently named LinkedIn’s Connection Director.  She is also Shape magazine’s career contributor, where she’ll continue to spread her sexy mix of dating tips turned career strategies to young women everywhere.

GIRL TALK TIME: How do you stay focused and energized at work? What do you think of these tips? What advice would you give?