We have already covered a significant amount of valuable productivity techniques, but there is one crucial thing we have not discussed yet: the most effective productivity process is essentially useless if you aren't taking care of yourself.

Ultimately, a working and functioning body is critical to productivity. The best way to look after your self - and especially your brain - is through managing your energy.

Scientifically speaking, your brain only takes up two percent of your body yet it consumes a whopping twenty percent of your energy. Thus, you need to make sure you have enough energy for your brain! Unfortunately, the modern life can be draining in this aspect. Most of us work way too much, then sleep too little, usually eat poorly, and stress out almost constantly. In short, we fail to manage our energy.

It doesn't have to be this way. In order to turn things around, we need to understand the source of energy. There basically three sources.

The first is powerful purpose, this refers to the intrinsic motivation that you get when doing productive work. This can also come from doign something rewarding or usually from the satisfaction of a job done well.

Although you can gather this source if you have a job that you value and enjoy, that alone is not sufficient. You also need to draw energy from your physical being. We were not designed to sit around all day; our bodies require movement to keep energy levels up. So incorporate daily exercise into your routines.

Lastly, connections are the third important source of energy. Even though you may not realize it, energy is largely dependent on the health of our social connections (i.e. relations and friendships). It is crucial that you take the time to develop and maintain your connections with other people