colgate said:
Time management, staying focused, and having a consistent energy state (since I've showed up to Nashville I've been vaping non-stop so that probably doesn't help this) are my biggest issues now.
I feel you. I have big issues with energy management, probably more than others. I am always absolutely baffled how some guys on here juggle work, gym, approaching and dating.
The sad truth is that you can only go berserk mode for so long. You can overdraw your energy account for a few weeks, maybe months, but then it catches up with you and fucks you hard.
I feel like performance enhancing drugs like coffee also only shift your energy from one point to the other. Coping mechanisms like junk food and probably vaping pull you down further the energy hole.
The best way to get consistent energy is:
- do sports regularly. Having a fit and balanced body carries over to other areas in terms of energy and concentration. It also helps you sleep better. I suggest 3-5 times a week. Doing intense sports more than 5 days a week might even detract from your overall energy imho. Body needs regeneration
- get a stable sleep schedule and enough sleep. You probably underestimate how much sleep is good for you. 90% (or was it 95? not sure.) of people our age need 7-9 hours a night. This does not mean 7 hours is OK for you. This means that if you are lucky and one of the people with not so much need for sleep, then 7 hours is OK for you. Me for example, I am one of the unlucky fuckers that need 9 hours a night. 7-9 is the 90% interval, so some people even need more than 9 hours, even unluckier). Once you have a stable sleep schedule, the amount of sleep you need will become apparent by when you feel tired (just make sure to not be constantly distracted so you NOTICE when you are tired). How to get a stable sleep schedule:
https://web.archive.org/web/20151027081943/http://www.boytoystory.com/the-power-of-a-stable-sleep-schedule
Suggestions for how to get away from your phone/laptop addiction:
- make your screen black/white. Phones are designed to catch your attention, they literally fuck with your brain. You can make that less so by making it visually unappealing. If you make your screen black/white, you can still do all the things that matter, but you won't be tempted as much do go for stupid "entertainment". Look up on the internet how to do that with your phone, the setting is oftentimes hidden somewhere deep in the developers options
- do no-media days. Maybe every Sunday of your week. You turn off your phone and laptop Saturday evening and don't turn it on until Monday morning. It will be crazy, you won't even know what to do with your time. Stick through it, it will enrich your life. Do sports, go to nature, take a walk, get creative with what else to do.