This year has been full of those ah-ha moments for not only me, but so many of my clients as well. It seems to be about how to have enough energy and discipline to accomplish one’s goals, stay focused, and be emotionally balanced, happy and healthy! No problem, right?! Ha!
Do you have those same goals and desires? I know I sure do — more and more I see people, just like you, wanting a positive change in one’s personal and professional life… once and for all!
Enough with feeling overwhelmed, scattered, tired and hopeless! Read on if you are with me!
In the last few years I have been focusing on personal energy management and teaching people how to fill up their energy reservoir, so they can meet the ongoing demands in their lives, feel more aligned with their values, and still enjoy life. I go to many different organizations and speak with individuals who are focused on health and wellbeing to deliver empowering presentations on this very topic.
So, what have I learned from my experiences (and what do I teach) these people to do? This article will fill you in on some of the secrets to accessing an abundant amount of your energy. Who doesn’t want to feel energetic and approach each day/task with the same level of enthusiasm?!
Let me introduce you to the four sources of energy (physical, mental, emotional, core) every human being has access to, as well as some of the energy depleting behaviors I see so many of us exhibiting. I will also share with you strategies that you can handpick to help you live a more productive, healthy and enriched life!
#1 Physical Energy Source (meeting your physical body’s needs)
Example of a physical energy depleting behavior:
Using the excuse “I’m too busy to take a break” and not taking the time to rest, reset and go. Experts say that in order to have ample energy to last for the entire day, we need to take breaks every 90 to 120 minutes.
Strategies:
Everyday prioritize your work, and then schedule your breaks in your calendar every 90-120 minutes.
Take your scheduled breaks and choose the purpose of your break (i.e. recover, refresh, release, energize) to maximize its results.
Plan to go outside at least once in your day, even if it’s just for a quick breath of fresh air.
Select a physical movement that you can easily do at your desk to disperse energy throughout your body (P.S. Qigong is amazing for that! If you need any inspo, check out my latest Instagram live here.)
Find an accountability partner to take breaks with you or at the same time if working virtually. Do an audio or video call together.
If short on time because you are way too busy, maximize your time by doing 1 min worth of Spinal Cord Breathing.
Consider automating your breaks within your organization. Some examples are: create a no meeting zone, no work zone, everybody takes a break (as they choose) between 10:00 and 10:30 and between 12:00 - 12:30 and 2:30 and 3:00 pm
#2 Mental Energy Source (focus)
Example of a mental energy depleting behavior:
Too much in one’s mental space (in one’s head) over thinking, trying to figure it all out, self-criticizing, worrying and/or not fully present when interacting with others.
Strategies:
Mind dump - get all your worries out of your head first thing in the morning
Identify what you want to focus on today and keep coming back to that
Eliminate distractions like smartphone notifications, background noise, thoughts that pull you away from what’s priority
Relax and get back into the present moment through your senses
Do what you need to do and trust that everything will line up and that you don’t need to figure it all out
#3 Emotional Energy Source (how you feel)
Example of a emotional energy depleting behavior:
Being emotionally triggered by unexpected circumstances, life events, nonsense from others and letting these outside circumstances dictate your mood, your productivity, your focus and your stress levels
Strategies:
Apply the 90 second rule when emotionally triggered.
Vent to vent, but not to trash (apply the 90 sec rule to the venting).
Do deep abdominal breathing to oxygenate your brain and to calm the fight or flight sympathetic response.
Identify the cause of the trigger and then either remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.
Address inappropriate behaviors of others respectfully.
Do the Tiger to release pent up emotions or Release Stress breathing.
#4 Core Energy Source (Purpose, Passion & Connections)
Example of a core energy depleting behavior:
Choosing to live your personal and/or your professional life based on societal pressures, familial expectations, opinions of others, instead of shaping your life based on your authentic self.
Strategies:
Identify the areas of your life that cause you stress, anxiety or discontentment and identify things that need to change.
Have the courage to live an authentic life.
Engage in things and interact with people that naturally make you feel good or light you up.
Allow yourself to discover who you are, who you want to be, what you like and dislike and move forward with that vision.
Live in accordance to your values and find purpose in what you do.
Respect yourself and others.
Get out of your head and get into your heart.
Interested in seeing how well you manage your four energy sources? Would you like guidance and support on how to live a purposeful and energized life? Stay tuned for my upcoming program that will help you get rid of what no longer serves you and then together, we’ll guide you into a renewed life. Sign up for my email list here to be the first to get details on this incredible life transforming program.