You’re in HR and want to stay productive. How can you manage your energy levels?

3 Set boundaries and prioritize

One of the challenges of working in HR is that you have to deal with multiple stakeholders, requests, and expectations, which can make you feel overwhelmed and stretched thin. To avoid this, you need to set boundaries and prioritize your work. Setting boundaries means being clear about what you can and cannot do, what you will and will not accept, and when you are and are not available. You can communicate your boundaries to your colleagues, managers, and clients in a respectful and assertive way, and stick to them. Prioritizing means being able to identify what is urgent and important, what is important but not urgent, what is urgent but not important, and what is neither urgent nor important. You can use a tool like the Eisenhower matrix to sort your tasks into these four categories, and focus on the ones that are urgent and important first, then the ones that are important but not urgent second, and delegate or eliminate the ones that are urgent but not important or neither urgent nor important.

4 Take breaks and recharge

Another challenge of working in HR is that you have to deal with a lot of information, emotions, and conflicts, which can drain your energy and cause mental fatigue. To prevent this, you need to take breaks and recharge your energy throughout the day. Taking breaks means stepping away from your work for a few minutes every hour or so, and doing something that relaxes, refreshes, or energizes you. You can take a walk, stretch, meditate, listen to music, read a book, chat with a friend, or do anything else that makes you happy. Recharging means taking longer periods of time off work, such as weekends, vacations, or personal days, and using them to rest, recover, and reconnect with yourself and others. You can use this time to pursue your hobbies, passions, or interests, spend quality time with your family and friends, or explore new places and experiences. By taking breaks and recharging, you can reduce your stress, boost your mood, and restore your creativity.

5 Seek support and feedback

The final tip on how to manage your energy levels and stay productive in HR is to seek support and feedback from others. Working in HR can be lonely, challenging, and stressful, and you may feel isolated, misunderstood, or unappreciated. To cope with this, you need to seek support and feedback from people who can help you, understand you, and appreciate you. You can seek support from your peers, mentors, coaches, or counselors, who can offer you advice, guidance, or emotional support. You can also seek feedback from your managers, clients, or employees, who can give you recognition, appreciation, or constructive criticism. By seeking support and feedback, you can gain new perspectives, insights, and skills, as well as improve your relationships, confidence, and satisfaction.