Energy Level Optimization

This quote got me thinking. Early in my career, I struggled with how people showed up. I was often called too intense, I was often perceived as overwhelming, but the truth of it is I SHOWED UP! I was engaged, I was committed, and I wanted to make an impact. Not knowing why there was such a difference between how I showed up and others, I learned … that ONLY 31% of employees are enthusiastic and energized by their work? Imagine that almost 70% of the people in your team are there because they just have to 🫣 I honestly can't imagine that, which is why I implemented some solutions in my teams, most of it worked, some of it I’m still testing & trying … Here are some things I did: 👉 Trust & Empower: I involve my team in decision-making processes and push decisions to them when possible. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. 👉 Celebrate Feedback: I create an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive. It encourages continuous learning and growth. 👉 Connect 'Why' to Vision: I share a compelling vision to motivate team members and clearly explain why their contributions matter. 👉 Offer Development: I signal my commitment to personal growth with training and development opportunities. It sparks motivation and increases loyalty. 👉 Recognize & Praise: I acknowledge achievements and make saying ‘thank you’ my default. A little recognition goes a long way to boost morale and motivation. 👉 Promote Diversity: I embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the work environment, prompt healthy debate, and drive innovation. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: I encourage teamwork on projects. This builds a sense of community and belonging while also accelerating learning 👉 Challenge Comfort Zones: I push and encourage team members to expand their skills and what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 👉 Cultivate Inclusivity: I ensure all voices are heard. For example, I make sure extroverts don't steal the show and create the space needed for quieter team members to speak. Be the leader that serves, empowers and inspires. And all will go just fine 🙌 #EmployeeEngagement #TeamMotivation #WorkCulture

Most people in Gurgaon don’t lack motivation. They lack time. No one is walking 10k steps after 12-hour workdays and Golf Course Road traffic. So instead of “big fitness goals,” here are small, repeatable choices that actually work in this city ( NO Gym & NO 10K Steps included): 1/  Know what you’re eating.  Most of our meals are carb-heavy, which is why protein deficiency is so common. Add a source of protein to every plate i.e. paneer, dal, eggs, tofu, curd, or lean meat. 2/  Hydrate smart. Keep a 1-liter bottle  instead of 250ml / 500 ml at your desk and aim to refill and finish it at least 3 times daily becoz staying hydrated prevents fatigue and headaches 3/  Move during calls. Take a 2–3 min break every hour and stretch, walk to fill water, or pace during calls and add up small movements. Pacing on calls can add 2–3k steps. 4/ If you can’t cook, order smart.   Swiggy/Zomato isn’t the enemy. Pick lighter, filling meals when you order. A few simple go to choices:  Egg bhurji with 2  tawa rotis,  Paneer bhurji meal (light & protein-rich),  Grilled chicken with veggies or salad,  Tandoori chicken (no heavy gravy, less oil), Paneer or mixed veggie salad 5/ Keep fruit on your desk. Most office snacking isn’t planned, so It’s easier to say no to surprise samosas when something healthy is within reach. 6/ Instead of chips or ice cream for your late night cravings, keep roasted chana / makhana, yogurt cups, dry fruits (no added sugar) with you.  Blinkit/Zepto delivers these in minutes and they are light on the stomach too.  Note : Portion control is important too. 7/ If you consume alcohol, keep the quantity moderate (1 pint of beer or a small peg of spirits).  Always pair it with lighter snacks like roasted chana or grilled paneer instead of fried foods. Drink water in between to stay hydrated. 8/ Read labels. Many foods marketed as “healthy” aren’t. Brown bread is often just maida with colour. Juices are mostly sugar. Ketchup is sugar with tomato flavour. Don’t trust the front of the pack. 9/ Gurgaon has groups for everything. Cricket in the parks, running at Leisure Valley, cycling on Golf Course Road, yoga meet-ups on weekends. When you do it with a group, you stay consistent. Morning or weekend, doesn’t matter, the point is you don’t have to do it alone. In Gurgaon, time will always be against you. Fitness is about designing habits that repeat, not chasing big goals you can’t sustain. #anotherbansal

We are always searching for productivity hacks! Most working professionals don’t lack ambition. They lack Vitamin B12. And they don’t even know it. Fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix. Brain fog during meetings. Mood dips for “no reason”. Hair fall. Low motivation by 4 PM. We blame workload. We blame stress. We blame age. But often, it’s a simple deficiency. Especially in vegetarian professionals. B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods. So if you’re vegetarian, chances are your intake is low unless you’re consciously managing it. Aur problem yeh hai, symptoms slow hote hain. Gradually energy kam hoti hai, aur hum sochte hain “Maybe I am overworked!”. Here’s how to reverse it on a vegetarian diet: 1️⃣ Include fortified foods Fortified cereals, plant milks, nutritional yeast. Very effective for lactose intolerant folks. 2️⃣ Dairy matters Milk, curd, paneer daily. Mummy sahi kehti thi, dudh piya karo. 3️⃣ Get sunlight + active lifestyle Indirectly supports overall metabolic health. 4️⃣ Test, don’t guess I had B12 levels below 200 around a year back which caused fatigue as it was below optimal. Got the tests done and took supplements as advised by my doctor. 5️⃣ Fix absorption Chronic acidity meds, gut issues, or stress can reduce absorption. The bigger lesson? High performance is not just mindset. It’s biochemistry. Hum apne careers ko optimise karte hain. Kabhi apne blood reports ko bhi optimise kariye! Energy is not a personality trait. It’s a biomarker. And sometimes, productivity doesn’t need another productivity hack. It needs a nutrient.

Are you addicted to likes? Are you endless scrolling through your LinkedIn feed? Do you feel your stomach in knots the first 30 minutes after you press post? Do you question yourself: will this post spark a conversation, be ignored or will this land me in LinkedIn jail? Balancing the Scale: Social Media’s Allure and the Quest for Authentic Engagement Being active on social media can be a double-edged sword. The addiction to ‘likes’ and the stress of constant content creation present can be challenging. I’ve been there. Here’s what I’ve done to get past this. 1. Recognize the ‘Like’ Addiction: We often equate the success of our content with likes and shares, but this can distort our authentic voice. Remember, true value lies in genuine engagement, not just in numbers. 2. Schedule and Limit Engagement: Allocate specific times for social media interaction to avoid being consumed by it. This helps in maintaining focus on our real-world tasks and responsibilities. 3. Curate Your Feed: Follow and engage with individuals and groups that inspire and add value. A cluttered feed can lead to information overload and stress. 4. Embrace the Long Game on LinkedIn: Building meaningful connections and sharing insightful content consistently are more beneficial in the long term than chasing instant gratification. 5. Set Realistic Social Media Goals: Define what you aim to achieve through your presence on platforms like LinkedIn. Measure success not just by immediate engagement, but by the quality of connections and conversations you inspire. 6. Take Regular Breaks: Stepping away from social media is vital for mental health. Regular breaks can refresh your perspective and enhance creativity. I take a day off a week. 7. Stay True to Your Story: In the world of content creation, authenticity is key. Share stories and insights that are genuinely yours, resonating more with your audience and feeling less burdensome to create. Navigating social media’s highs and lows is part of our professional journey. How do you manage the balance between seeking engagement and maintaining authenticity? Share your strategies and experiences. P.S. Have you ever taken a step back to reassess your social media strategy? What insights did you gain? #whatsyourstory #storytelling #socialmediastrategy #wellbeing #mentalhealth

Beyond the Crunch: Navigating Pressure, Stress, and the Race Against Time 🤯 A month ago, I was invited by the Yale School of Public Health to share in a class my strategies for managing the pressures and stresses associated with being an advisor and/or manager behind prominent #SocialMedia accounts. This opportunity spurred me to reflect on my personal coping mechanisms for navigating this demanding field. 1. Passion as Fuel: Above all else, you need to genuinely love your work. The time and energy invested in meeting the demands of social media audiences are not worth it if you're not genuinely engaged. Your health will ultimately bear the brunt. 2. Crunch Time Efficiency: In my line of work, I often deal with humanitarian crises and health emergencies. When crunch time arrives, it's time to roll up your sleeves and focus. Avoid distractions and limit the endless scrolling that can derail your productivity. Consider muting chatting apps to prevent interruptions from notifications and incoming requests. 3. Collaboration in Success and Failure: Social media posts behind large accounts rarely result from individual effort. They are a collective endeavor. Success is shared among all those who contributed, just as failure is shared. While taking accountability for your work is crucial, it's equally important to learn from setbacks without succumbing to guilt. Embrace the opportunity to grow and improve. 4. Protecting Your Mental Well-being: As a social media manager, you face an onslaught of trolls and negativity. Learn to gauge your tolerance for this and limit your exposure. Consider rotating the responsibility of monitoring comments and social media conversations among team members. On your personal accounts, you may choose to mute certain accounts or individuals. Your mental health must be prioritized. 5. Disconnection for Rejuvenation: The ever-evolving algorithms and relentless pace of social media demand balance. Make time for yourself to relax, recharge, and pursue activities that bring you joy. Don't feel guilty about disconnecting from the digital world. I'm not perfect in this regard, but I'm working on improving my disconnect strategies. 6. Seeking Support: Sharing your struggles is a powerful tool for coping. Reach out to trusted peers when you need support or to simply vent. If the stress and pressure of your work, particularly in humanitarian crisis situations, become overwhelming, consider seeking professional help. I utilize both peer support and professional counselling , depending on the challenges I face. What are your winning strategies for navigating social media's hurdles and building an unstoppable online presence?

Productivity isn’t just time management. It’s energy management. For the longest time, I thought the secret to being productive was fitting more into my schedule. Wake up earlier. Work longer. Stack tasks back to back. Maximise every hour. But instead of getting more done, I ended up feeling mentally drained, struggling to focus, and constantly chasing the feeling of “catching up.” I’d start my mornings forcing myself into deep work when my brain wasn’t ready. Push through long meetings when my energy was at its lowest. Ignore when I was naturally sharpest—just because my calendar said otherwise. And the worst part? I felt like I was busy all the time, but not seeing the results I wanted. So instead of forcing productivity at the wrong times, I started working with my natural energy. Here’s how it’s going so far: 🌅 Morning: 🧘♀️ Gym, stretch, walks → sets the right mindset. ↳ Without movement, I feel sluggish all day. 💡 Deep work & most pressing projects → avoid meetings. ↳ Mornings are my peak focus time. No distractions. ☀️ Midday: ☕ Lunch break, coffee break, stretch, fresh air. Hopefully get some sun (spring is almost here, you guys!) 🌆 Afternoon: 📞 Calls, meetings, admin tasks, group projects. ↳ Not as mentally intense, but still important. And if you struggle with afternoon crash but still need to perform. Here are things that help me reduce it: 1️⃣ Dirtea Lion’s Mane coffee → helps with cognition. 2️⃣ 2L+ of water & avoiding carb-heavy lunches. 3️⃣ Moving my body & getting fresh air often. Of course, this schedule isn’t always 100% doable, life happens. But whenever I structure my days like this, I perform at my best. What about you? Have you found the perfect system that works for your energy?👇🏼

Put on your own oxygen mask first. This is the rule for every caregiver. Here’s what I know about lasting care: 1. Connection starts within - You cannot pour from an empty cup - Your energy sets the tone for every patient - Self-care is not selfish, it is survival 2. Technology is your ally - Workflow tools clear the clutter - Digital planners bring order to chaos - Mindfulness and sleep apps protect your mind - Wearables remind you to pause and breathe 3. Use tools for yourself first - Test new apps on your own routine - Track your own stress, not just your patients’ - Let tech free up your time, not fill it with more tasks 4. Protect your balance - Block time for breaks, not just meetings - Set boundaries with alerts and reminders - Use digital check-ins to spot burnout early 5. Lead by example - Share your self-care wins with your team - Normalize using tech for your own wellbeing - Build a culture where care for self comes first This is not just about gadgets. It is about bringing more humanity into every moment of care. When you care for yourself, you show up better for others. That is the real power of connected care.

High-pressure, fast-paced work environments are like hot sauce on the brain—they keep everything on fire. While leaders might thrive on this continual state of excitement and ambition, expecting all employees to sustain this intensity is unrealistic. Such an environment can lead to: → Burnout → Disillusionment → High turnover But what if you’re on a mission to change the world or accomplish big things? How can you cultivate a culture of innovation that also supports a sustainable workforce? ⦿ Flexible Schedules: Foster innovation with flexible hours and remote work options, as demonstrated by Google. ⦿ Clear Boundaries: Limit after-hours work and communication to avoid burnout, a strategy championed by 37signals. ⦿ Promote Well-being: Invest in wellness programs and mental health resources, like those offered by Asana. ⦿ Create Innovation Labs: Set up dedicated spaces or times for experimentation and creativity, like 3M's famous 15% rule. ⦿ Encourage Regular Breaks: Implement mandatory downtime, similar to Slack's "no meetings" Fridays, to boost creativity and reduce fatigue. ⦿ Mentorship Programs: Pair employees with mentors to nurture growth and support, following the model used by Pixar Animation Studios to encourage creative collaboration. wearemotto.com

It’s not normal to be tired all the time. Common? Yes. But normal? No. Somewhere along the way, constant fatigue became part of modern life. Waking up tired. 3 PM crash. Dragging through workouts. Needing endless caffeine to function. Tiredness is a signal – and signals have causes. Blood sugar instability, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep, chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, weak aerobic base… the list is long, but the solutions are real. The good news? Energy is fixable once you understand what’s driving it. Here are quick, practical steps you can start with on your own: 1. Get real diagnostics. Energy issues often hide in places you can’t feel. Biomarkers like ferritin, thyroid, fasting insulin, CRP, and hormone levels. Your annual physical (likely) won’t catch these. 2. Monitor wearable data.  - Resting heart rate (via an ŌURA/WHOOP)  - HRV  - Blood sugar (finger prick or CGM)  - Sleep duration + consistency These basic signals tell you more than you’d think. (DM me if you’re curious about how to interpret these markers) 3. Build an aerobic base. If low-intensity exercise feels hard, commit to 1-2 hours of Zone 2 per week. For most of us, that's a brisk walk or light jog. 4. Eat enough. Seriously. A surprising number of tired people are simply under-fueling – especially protein and micronutrients. 5. Protect your sleep window. You don’t need perfection. You need consistency. Our bodies benefit from rhythm. (This is an area I need to work on) 6. Don’t guess – measure. Your bloodwork, your wearables, your fitness tests… All of it paints a picture of what’s draining or supporting your energy. There’s no good or bad results – only learnings. Get a baseline, talk to the right professionals, and learn what changes will drive progress.

What if being less available makes you more valuable? I've been testing this theory for over two years now (the results surprised me). I made myself unreachable 14 hours a day. Here's what that actually looks like: Morning protection time: 6-9am is my deep work block. No calls, no msgs, no exceptions. This is when I tackle strategy, creative work, and big-picture thinking. Evening cutoff: I'm offline after 6pm. I don’t work weekends. My team and clients know this. I set my notifications to Do Not Disturb. Communication Rules: Urgent = Something's on fire. Everything else can wait until business hours. I respond to emails within 24 hours, not 24 minutes! I encourage my team to work like this too. And here’s the impact: Our team retention for over 2+ years is 100% Client and creator member satisfaction scores increased. And we're more profitable because focused energy means better output. If you’re struggling with boundaries, try this 5-step framework: 1. Identify your peak energy window (when are you sharpest?) 2. Block that time religiously for your most important work 3. Set ONE non-negotiable boundary this week 4. Communicate it clearly (no apologies needed) 5. Stick to it for 30 days and measure the impact Protecting your energy isn't selfish. It's strategic.