Book summary
Energize: book summary
by Simon Alexander Ong
The big ideas and best quotes from Energize by Simon Alexander Ong. Written for practising leaders, not students of theory.
Notes by Toby Sinclair · 26 Apr 2022 · 3 min read
A practising leader's notes on this book.
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3 big ideas
This Energize Book Summary will help channel your energy to achieve your dreams.
Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time.
Designing your life always begins with designing your days.
An hour of doing deep work when your energy is high will be as effective as attempting the same task over four hours when your energy is low.
We get our best insights when the mind is still.
Thomas Edison got fresh insights by spending an hour almost every day sitting at the end of a dock and fishing. He never did catch any fish, but that was never his intention. With no bait used, no one would disturb him, not even the fish.
Written from the seat of a practising organisational leader — not an AI recap of the book. Cite as Toby Sinclair, book summary of Energize by Simon Alexander Ong.
Toby's takeaway
I have a productivity addiction.
I'm often asked, "How do you read so many books?"
The truth is, I'm always looking to squeeze the most out of time.
There are many benefits to this addiction.
But this week I started to reflect on the downsides.
The reflection was sparked by Energize by Simon Alexander Ong
This quote stopped jumped off the page:
“We also get our best insights when the mind is still. By scheduling a regular time to rest and recharge, you begin to unlock your greatest source of creativity.”
I thought. When was the last time I was just still?
I couldn't remember.
I wondered how this might be limiting my creativity.
Simon shares several examples of how being still can lead to breakthroughs:
Thomas Edison got fresh insights by spending an hour almost every day sitting at the end of a dock and fishing. He never did catch any fish, but that was never his intention. With no bait used, no one would disturb him, not even the fish.
The next day walking to the office I did something different.
I didn’t listen to a podcast, audiobook or even music.
I walked, looked at the sky and let my mind wander.
I didn't get a breakthrough idea.
But I was reminded of how lucky I am. About the people around me.
Thoughts I might not have had. If instead, I'd been listening to the latest Tim Ferris podcast
Thanks to Energize I'll be stopping more, to let my mind wander.
📚
Rating: 6/10 | Recommended For: Everyone | Category: Health and Wellbeing
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Best quotes
You can do amazing things, but only if you have the energy to do them.
Stop treating your health as a side hustle
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Questions
- Should I read Energize?
- The big ideas and best quotes from Energize by Simon Alexander Ong. Written for practising leaders, not students of theory.
- Who is Energize for?
- Practising leaders, coaches, and anyone doing the work — not students of theory.
If the ideas landed, read the book.
Buy Energize on Amazon