Several weeks ago, I ran across some interesting information about how high level executives conserve energy; namely so that they can pour their impetus into the things that they value most. Several of the tips were intuitive (like limiting time on e-mail, doing your most difficult task of the day first, etc). But a couple were not an "oh that makes sense" idea until I actually read them and thought about it.
One of them: Wear the same outfit, so that you don't have to make any decisions about what to wear each day. Wow. I have said this for YEARS. The article listed several notables (whom I wish I could remember) – the one that sticks out is Steve Jobs – with his signature blue jeans and black turtleneck … I heard he had thirty of each in his closet.
It is true, that standing-in-front-of-the-closet energy expenditure doesn't really seem worth it. I wish I had the chutzpa to actually do this instead of just wishing to. (I will say that none of the famous big-wigs were women … I don't know if we can actually get away with this. However, I do own 5 pairs of the same jeans … lest you all think I am just wearing the same pair over and over! And by this, I have reduced my clothes-choosing energy by 30%!)
The other energy-drain reducer was to eat a very limited diet of similar foods. Again, choices take effort. (Generally, I tend to do this at restaurants – order the same thing once I find something I like – but I suspect this is more about fearing disappointment, rather than energy conservation!).
The thing I appreciate about both these ideologies / methodologies is that, like an ultra-light backpacker, shaving off ounces here and there, these people are so incredibly intentional as to why they do what they do. They recognize that they are a limited commodity and they want to spend themselves on something they value.
And that, I can hold.