The Energy Advantage

Our energy is king.

Being our best energetic self is pivotal to our happiness, health and success.

Since childhood, I’ve always been highly energetic and attracted to people who emit a similar energy. Even through my current health journey fighting cancer, I have maintained my energy, which has baffled my doctors.

The definition of energy or what I call personal energy, is in the eye of the beholder. To me personal energy is within ourselves and refers to the internal capacity that fuels our physical, mental, and emotional activities. It's the vitality that enables us to perform tasks, think clearly, engage with others, and maintain our overall well-being.

Working with leaders and executive teams, I always notice that at this time of year, many feel burnt out, run down, and in need of a break that isn’t always attainable. Taking the time to reflect and refuel your energy is key, and it will be the topic of a series of articles, including this one.

Give the world the best of you, Not what’s left of you.

What is the payoff of having high energy?

High energy levels can enhance productivity, focus, and creativity, allowing us to face and approach challenges effectively. It also supports emotional resilience, helping us manage stress and maintain positive relationships and interactions. Proper management of personal energy through balanced nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health practices ensures that we can sustain our energy across the five Dimensions.

Mental benefits:

• Enhanced Productivity & Focus: High energy boosts concentration, allowing us to accomplish tasks more efficiently and with creativity and grit.
• Stress Management: With more energy, we can be better equipped to handle stress and create and maintain a calm and positive mindset.
• Improved Mood: High energy contributes to feelings of happiness, motivation, and emotional stability, reducing the risk of depression and feeling flat
• Sharpened Cognitive Function: Increased energy enhances memory, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.

Physical benefits:

• Greater Stamina and Tolerance: High energy levels support an active lifestyle, improving physical fitness and overall health.
• Stronger Immune System: With sufficient energy, our body can better fight off illnesses and recover quickly from injuries.
• Healthier Lifestyle: More energy encourages good habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and better sleep, promoting long-term well-being.
• Increased Vitality: High energy fosters a sense of vitality and enthusiasm for life, enabling us to engage in daily activities and pursue our goals fully.

What is the cost of having low energy?

Without sufficient energy, we can become fatigued, less motivated, and more prone to burnout, hindering our ability to live fulfilling and successful lives. Our energy can easily be depleted through illness, overwhelm, under or over connection with others or simply through a mindset and belief system that does not serve us. Self-awareness of knowing when we aren’t our energetic selves is vital for us to create change and avoid the below consequences of low energy.

Mental consequences:

• Reduced Focus and Productivity: Low energy impairs concentration and efficiency, making it harder to complete tasks in the time frame we normally would.
• Increased Stress: With less energy, stress management becomes difficult, leading to heightened anxiety, irritability and overwhelm.
• Mood Changes: Persistent low energy can contribute to depression, apathy, and feelings of hopelessness.
• Cognitive Decline: Chronic low energy can affect memory and decision-making skills over time.

Physical consequences:

• Fatigue: Constant tiredness limits physical activity and reduces overall stamina.
• Weakened Immune System: Low energy can make the body more susceptible to illnesses and infections.
• Poor Physical Health: Lack of energy often leads to us not doing much. This can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, contributing to weight gain, muscle loss, and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
• Slower Recovery: Physical healing and recovery from illness or injury may be delayed due to inadequate energy reserves.

We can harness our energy across these 5 Dimensions (5D energy):

• Emotional energy – How we feel.
• Mental energy – How we think.
• Social energy – How we connect.
• Physical energy – How we function.
• Spiritual energy – What we believe and nurture.

Learning Jolt:

Rate each of the 5 dimensions listed above 1-5 (1=low and 5=perfect)

Reflect on the 5 Dimensions of energy, check-in with each and look at where you feel energised and where you feel depleted.

Ask:

What is one thing I can do to move the needle towards a 5/5?

When I was a 5/5 in this area what was different?

Knowing where our energy is at is key, and topping up has huge benefits for us personally and professionally.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this article and what came up for you.

Lead to be limitless,

Renée