Today is a good day. You feel motivated and confident. What is on the outside matches how you feel on the inside. These are productive and efficient days, where no task feels too difficult.

The challenge

How do you lean into this energy without overextending yourself? It is easy to push yourself to exhaustion on these days, celebrating the relief that comes with feeling strong. The ideas flow and you feel so productive. However, I have found that this leaves nothing in reserve for the next day.

The lesson

I have learnt the value of keeping myself in check, storing a little bit of this energy so that I keep a reserve tank of energy. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Success (however you want to define it) is not achieved in one day. It is the accumulation of small consistent actions over time. To keep up this consistency, we need sustained energy. I have learn to hold back a little, to stop when I feel good rather than depleted.

The method:

1. Be mindful. Notice that you are feeling good. You have the capacity to experience good feelings.

2. Remind yourself that good days will come again. This is not the only one. Yes they are more precious being limited in number but you are playing the long game. So,

3. Stop while you’re ahead. Stick to your routine. Eat, rest and sleep as you would on any other day.

Future you will be grateful.