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Lack of energy and being tired are facts of life for all too many of us.

Most of us aren't now involved in much manual work, but we still need rest and relaxation to let us recharge our mental and emotional batteries. Otherwise, we won't be able to perform effectively, let alone have enough energy to work towards our ideal lives.

What can we do to ensure that we have not only plenty of energy to do the things we must do, but have enough left over to do the things we want to do?

There's actually quite a lot of things we can do that will help.

Direction and Purpose Give Us Energy

Having goals and feeling driven to work towards things that are important to you can be one of the best ways to feel energised.

Not having enough to do or lacking any real purpose can be more tiring than having too much to do. It's hard to feel energised or enthusiastic if you're bored or lacking direction.

When you are inspired by things that matter to you, your motivation will be strong and you'll usually have plenty of energy to take the actions that will move you closer to your goals.

If your reasons are important and compelling enough to you, you'll work tirelessly and often be able to perform near miracles.

What would it take to get you this enthusiastic?

Find the answer to this question and you'll certainly have much more energy than you would if you lacked anything to motivate and excite you.

Get Enough Sleep

Even if you have strong levels of commitment and motivation that inspire you to work hard, you can burn out if you keep this up for too long without allowing yourself time to rebuild your strength.

getting enough sleep is essential. We all need a certain amount of sleep to rejuvenate ourselves and replace the energy we've used each day. For most of us, this varies between six and nine hours per night, although some people can get by on considerably less, and others need a lot more.

We also need time at the end of the working day to just relax and unwind and clear our mind before sleep. If not, it can cause problems sleeping which will cause even more tiredness and stress.

It may sound obvious, but allowing yourself time to unwind and getting as much sleep as you need each night will do more for your energy levels that almost anything else. Sometimes this can be easier said than done, but it really should be a top priority for all of us if we want to be at our best.

Take a Break

Regular breaks from work are another must. Weekends, vacations and holidays when we do no work at all can make a huge difference and go a long way to ensuring we are at our most productive and energetic when we are working.

Take time out to relax and rest. Take at least 1 or 2 full days off each week when you do none of your normal work. During this time just relax in whatever way you like, with friends or family.

Taking any time off can be difficult, particularly if you're running or you've just started your own business, but this will make you much more productive and ultimately you'll achieve much more than you would by working solidly without breaks.

play a sport, go to a movie, or even veg out in front of the TV. Taking up a new hobby or rediscovering an old one can be an excellent way to relax and relieve stress. Even doing things around the house or gardening is good. Apparently some people even like doing housework to relax!

What Works For You?

It can be difficult to keep our minds off work problems when we are away from the office. It can take discipline, but it really is essential to be able clear your mind and stop worrying for your time off to be most beneficial.

Do whatever you like doing that lets you unwind and relax and keep your mind off work. different things work for different people so it's important to determine what works best for you. Watching TV or reading a book will do it for some people, meditation or yoga work for others. Some people will need to do something that may not seem relaxing at all, like kickboxing or hang gliding.

Whatever it takes, just do it! Make yourself take time out and get away from the pressures of work. You'll feel better, be more productive and enjoy better physical and mental health and wellbeing.

about The Author Garry Zancanaro is the creator of http://www.SuperSuccessLibrary.com a collection of outstanding and life changing Success and Personal Development resources, and the founder of http://www.SelfImprovementDirectory.com where you can claim a FREE copy of THINK AND GROW RICH.

david Walker continues his review of the January transfer window and how the moves will impact each teams success, or survival at the end of the 2005/06 season.

Everton
After spending the early part of the season facing a relegation battle the only reinforcements came in the form of Alan Stubbs, joining from Sunderland for his second spell at the club.

Two players have left the club Marcus Bent to Charlton and Per Kroldrup to Fiorentina. The Danish defender arrived in a 5 million switch from Udinese but returned to Italy for substantially less after making just one league appearance.

At 10 points clear, Everton look safe from the drop but you may be tempted by the 33/1 relegation odds.

Fulham
Fulham are battling against relegation and have made five new signings. Goalkeepers tony Warner and Antti Niemi joined from Cardiff and Southampton respectively while New Zealand international Simon Elliott arrived from Columbus Crew. Defender wayne Bridge and midfielder michael Brown joined from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on loan.

Without an away win all season, Fulhams strength and key to survival lies in their form at Craven Cottage. 26 of the 29 points accumulated have come from home wins and manager Chris Coleman will need to keep up this momentum. Fulham can be backed at 14/1 for relegation.

Liverpool
Third in the table and a favourable draw in the Champions League has seen further recruits arrive at Anfield. Defender Jan Kromkamp arrived in a swap deal from Villarreal which saw Josemi return to Spain while Danish defender daniel Agger cost 5.8 million from Brondby.

A host of fringe players left on loan deals but all transfers were eclipsed by the return of striker Robbie Fowler, five years after leaving Anfield. Fowler scored 120 goals in 236 premiership matches for the Reds previously and with Manchester United wobbling, Liverpool could eclipse them in second position. They are three points behind in third but have two games in hand. Rafa Benitezs side can be backed at 6/5 to win the premiership in the without Chelsea market.

Manchester City
Following a blistering start to the season, City are sitting comfortably in tenth position. manager Stuart Pearce will not stand for half measures and has motivated his side into three wins out of their last four matches, including a 3-1 derby win over bitter rivals United.

Pearce has boosted the ranks with the 6 million signing of Greek striker Georgios Samaras from Heerenveen after allowing Robbie Fowler to rejoin Liverpool and the loan capture of Espanyol midfielder Alberto Riera. Pearces managerial qualities have not gone unnoticed and he is quoted at 20/1 to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson as the next England boss.

Manchester United
The former premiership powerhouses have been exposed yet again this season as being nowhere near Chelsea in terms of results, consistency and strength in depth. However, the Glaziers sanctioned the arrivals of Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic Spartak for 7 million and 5.5 million signing Patrice Evra.

A dire spell in europe has seen them with the Carling Cup one of their only chances of silverware this season although Sir Alex Fergusons side are still 5/6 favourites for the premiership without Chelsea. Strike duo Ruud van Nistelrooy is 5/6 and wayne Rooney 10/1 to top the premiership scoring charts.

Middlesbrough
One of the pre season outsiders for a top four position, Middlesbrough are now staring relegation square in the face. Boro have won just once in their last 10 premiership outings and that was away at rock bottom Sunderland.

No players arrived in January although Szilard Nemeth left for Strasbourg. One of the few bright spots, striker Yakubu, can be backed at 16/1 to top the premiership goalscoring chart while speculative punters may fancy the 13/2 on offer of relegation.

newcastle United
manager Graham Souness became the latest premiership managerial casualty after recently losing five of their last six league matches. With just 36 wins in his 83 matches in charge the club are hovering six points above the drop zone.

Big money arrivals michael Owen and Alberto Luque failied to ignite an expected charge for European football and former West Ham manager Glenn Roeder and Alan Shearer have taken over the reigns temporarily. Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is the 9/2 favourite to take over permanently and despite a poor run of form the Magpies remain 20/1 outsiders for relegation.

The third and final part of the review will look at transfers involving Portsmouth, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic.