When we think of our assets, we usually consider our monetary and physical assets. Some of us may also include our education, talents and capabilities too. But, we often tend to overlook an important asset – our personal energy levels.

Our energy is literally the petrol on which our life runs. We can’t go full throttle on an empty tank. And if the petrol is adulterated, the creaking and sputtering will slow us down! Exactly in the way that negative energy will deplete us. In fact, the phrase “feeling low” itself indicates low levels of energy.  Both the quantum and quality of our energy are important for moving ahead. 

We tend to associate energy with physical capacity, but energy also has an important psychological component which influences us via our emotions. Emotions predominantly control the quality of our energy, but they can also impact its quantum.

We have also seen instances where in spite of severe physical deprivations, people have kept going on, because some other dimension of energy has provided the sustenance.

For e.g., renowned psychiatrist and author Viktor Frankl who survived the Nazi concentration camps, said that most of the survivors were those who’s life still had some purpose. This tells us that there is a spiritual dimension of energy too.

It may be a good idea to have an imaginary energy-meter for ourselves. This will enable us to become conscious of our energy levels – dipping or rising, so that we can take corrective action. 

Biometrics like blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol etc., guide us to take medication or change our diets, lifestyle etc. Similarly, a personal energy-meter can help us change or make adjustments to our mindset, relationships and life patterns to increase our positive energy.

The book Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz does exactly this. It gives an energy-meter or energy audit to measure our energy. It also explains the following dimensions of energy in detail. 

  1. The Body: Physical Energy
  2. The Emotions: Quality of Energy
  3. The Mind: Focus of Energy
  4. The Human Spirit: Energy of Meaning and Purpose

The authors say we need to draw energy from each source so that we are physically energised, emotionally connected, mentally focussed and spiritually aligned. You can read this article on how to renew and increase your energy in each dimension.

https://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time

Increase in energy due to positive emotions is excellent. But, increase in negative energy due to difficult emotions (e.g., flying into a rage, or fear driving you insane etc.) needs to be managed. Therefore, along with the energy audit, 3 things need to be monitored for energy dips as well as negative increases :

  1. Frequency – how often does your energy dip or rise due to difficult emotions?
  2. Intensity – How intense are these negative dips and rises?
  3. Time to get re-centred – How fast do you bounce back from these dips and rises?

Start monitoring these and decide on the actions you will take to reduce the frequency, intensity and time to bounce back from these dips and rises. 

Self Reflection

Think about the last 6 months, and identify energy dips and negative energy increases. Evaluate yourself on frequency, intensity and time you took to get re-centred. What can you do next time to reduce all 3 factors?

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