Build a Culture of Energy
I recently finished reading Scott Adam’s latest book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. The book is jammed full of practical advice and tremendous stories from Adams’ life.
One of the chapters in the book is called The Energy Metric. As I was reading it, I started thinking about all the people I’ve known who were successful technology entrepreneurs, and at least one of the things they ALL have in common is energy. I’m not talking about passion for their idea, or a great attitude. Those things are no doubt important, but there are going to be times when you hate your idea or your attitude takes a header. What gets you out of those deep, dark wells is energy.
When I was at Bandwidth in the very early days, I used to marvel at the stamina of the founders. They seemed to be drawing from a different source than me. They would work like maniacs, play like maniacs, go home and spend time with their families, then work deep into the night. Day after day. What became clear is that if you couldn’t operate at their pace you weren’t going to last. I had to significantly ramp my energy level just to try and keep up. I recall several business trips where we would leave Raleigh at 6 a.m., fly to Seattle for meetings all day, fly home on the red-eye that night, and go straight to work the next day and go all day.
What I’ve learned since is that while everything appeared to be going crazy all of the time, there was a discipline in their lives that I didn’t have. They ate well. They exercised every single day without fail at a very high level. They read voraciously. Then, when the dip came, they were able to find another gear and kept going.
In the last five years, I’ve modified almost everything about my daily life to ensure that I have maximum energy to commit to the cause at hand. Here’s what it looks like for me:
- I’ve lost over 40 pounds
- I eat about 1/2 of what I used to eat, and I eat a tremendous amount of raw fruit and vegetables
- I start and end my day with exercise
- I swim at lunch at least 4 times per week if I’m in town
- I sleep the hours that give me the best sleep, which for me is going to bed early and waking up early
- I rarely drink alcohol, and never on days where I’m working the next day
- I read constantly about people I admire
- I listen regularly to podcasts about / with other people who inspire me
- I watch less than five hours of TV a week, normally 1-2
- I spend time every day with the people who matter most to me
- I have a quiet time every morning where I rejuvenate my spirit
The road of building a company, which I have been so fortunate to be a part of numerous times, is physically and emotionally draining. You won’t survive if you don’t have a way to renew your energy constantly.
Energy is also contagious. If you never appear to get tired (like the founders of Bandwidth), the people around you will rise to the challenge. You can build a “culture of energy.”
Just Remember
Energy is perhaps the most important factor in your ability to persist as long as it will take to be successful in your venture and not grow weary. Find the things in your life that give you energy and cut everything out that saps the life from you.
Your Assignment
If I had to pick one thing from the above list that’s made the most difference in my energy level, it would no doubt be the amount of exercise I now get. Sitting at a desk all day, or worse traveling all the time, is brutal on your body.
Review my list above, or make your own list, and commit to finding more energy in your day. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can get done, and the high level at which you can operate for extended periods of time.
Give the people who work with you the freedom to find the things that give them energy as well. Create a culture of energy.
If you need further inspiration, read The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart. It’s perhaps the most inspiring story of suffering and perseverance I’ve ever read.