Our Most Important Commodity For Success Is No Longer Time, It’s………..

By Joel on May 3, 2012

Forget time, it’s all about energy! In our increasingly fast-paced and pressured lives, we crave more time and energy, making them both among the most in-demand commodities of the 21st century. If we understand that time is outside of ourselves and energy is within us all, we begin to understand that energy is actually our currency for living and being. After all, without energy we can’t perform or do anything really, even if we do buy time.

The answer lies in the renewal of these four key sources of energy.

Let’s remember, energy is within us and time is outside of us; so it makes sense to focus on managing energy, as we have direct access to it. It is this multidimensional energy combined in its most balanced and fully engaged state that ensures we feel truly alive, healthy and content.

If we remind ourselves, that energy is our capacity to do work and to perform, how can we maximise our performance and enjoyment in life?

The answer lies in the renewal of these four key sources of energy:

1. Physical energy

We can achieve this through: Quality and quantity of sleep Appropriate nutrition to ensure balanced blood sugar levels throughout the day. It isn’t possible to be productive and perform well with low blood sugar. It is also impossible to even think with very low blood sugar levels as it literally leaves you feeling ‘brain-dead’. Appropriate nutrition refers to managing your insulin spikes and choosing fresh, enzyme-rich foods as the best fuel for your physical body (your engine).

The right exercise (this does not mean excessive cardio!). In fact, short, intense exercise if far more beneficial and achievable.
Short bursts of rest in between rushing around or performing endless tasks around the house or work is also far more productive. Think of yourself as a ‘corporate athlete’ where you sprint and recover instead of working all day long without regular breaks. Power rests can be anywhere from one to five minutes, provided you totally disengage from your activity.

2. Emotional energy (emotional connection)

In order to perform at our best, we need to access our positive and uplifting emotions such as enjoyment, adventure, opportunity, challenge and inspiration. Appreciating others and, in turn, feeling appreciated is the key here.
When we dwell on negative emotions, such as hostility, resentment or anxiety, the quality of our energy is hugely diminished. Over time, running on negative emotional energy at work or in any other area of life is a huge energy drain, which leads to chronic tiredness, perhaps even Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

This is because emotions that arise out of fear or deficit or which threaten our survival in any way, produce an extremely toxic effect by stimulating the adrenal glands to release cortisol (the stress hormone). In small amounts, cortisol is beneficial but when it pumps into the bloodstream for too long, it leaves a trail of destruction and eats away at muscle tissue.

3. Mental energy (mental focus)

Any way of quietening the mind and its constant chitchat, such as ‘effortless’ meditation technique or activities that focus on the breath like Qi Gong, allows us to renew our mental energy. Renewing our mental energy makes us far more intelligent and productive in the long run.

To perform at our best, we also need to sustain concentration and be flexible in our thinking, with appropriate focus and realistic optimism. Regularly engaging in creative visualisations enhances the mental flow of energy.

Mental capacity is also derived from expending and renewing energy. In practical terms, if we spend too much time in overthinking, over-analysing or focusing heavily on practical outcomes, we are not allowing for creative possibilities and new ways of thinking or experiencing to occur. And, of course, if we adopt this approach habitually, it can lead to boredom, which can create a very destructive outcome.

4. Spiritual energy (knowing your purpose/path)

Spiritual energy aligns our actions, motivations and ambitions and as a result we feel more alive, engaged, connected and able to judge our next step more clearly. At this level, we are also able to access and use our innate gifts and talents creating an awesome sense of having ‘energy on tap’.

Just as nature has its own natural pulses and rhythms, such as the daily rising and setting of the sun, we also experience wave-like movements between activity and rest. Daily rest and renewal is the key to balancing all four sources of energy. If we can achieve a balance of being physically energised, emotionally connected, mentally focused and spiritually aligned, we are well on the way to optimal health and inner happiness.

OLD PARADIGM	NEW PARADIGM
Time management	Energy management
Avoid stress	Seek stress and train for recovery
Life is a marathon	Life is a series of sprints
The power of positive thinking	The power of full Engagement (by using the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sources of energy combined)
Downtime is a waste of time	Downtime is productive time
Time is finite	Energy is renewable
Time is outside of us	Energy is inside of us

Source: clickalifecoach.com

About The Author: Joel

Joel Brown is the CEO and Founder of Addicted2Success.com. With a long time passion for Entrepreneurship, Self development & Success, Joel started his website with the intention of educating and inspiring likeminded people all over the world to always strive for success no matter what their circumstances. Joel’s passion for what he does shows through the continual growth of Addicted2Success.com's online community. Follow Joel Brown on Twitter

7 Comments

Nikki Teller

May 3, 2012 at 6:31 am

It’s absolutely essential that you get up and move around constantly. How can any of us be creative if we are sitting still, slumped at our desks, hating our jobs, dulling headaches with pills, being dehydrated and pumped full of sugar? Hideous way to live! Move people, move!

Great article!

Reply
Lorina Kelly

May 3, 2012 at 8:30 am

I do feel a paradigm shift. And I am so glad to read “Realistic Optimism.” The NEW way of living described here is more up my alley. I am going to share this with my very special group on FB. Thanks!

Reply
Julia Hunt

May 7, 2012 at 4:31 am

LOVE this article. J x.x.x.

Reply
Sergio

June 5, 2012 at 2:03 pm

Great article!
I was just thinking about maximizing my time.
But I was leaving energy aside,
Thanks

Reply
Soya j

June 11, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Great article, Thanks a lot.

Reply
Lee

June 12, 2012 at 2:09 pm

The book “Power of Full Engagement” echos this blog in great detail. Very god read(re-read) for those of us needing to manage our energy better. Enjoy!

Reply
Kevin G

August 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Great article. Something that most of us are not taught is how to leverage your time. Network Marketing is creating very wealthy people; it’s a fair and ethical way of doing business that “builds people” in the process.

Reply