The Energy Model addresses physical, mental, emotional and purposeful needs
How energetic are you feeling about your work today? As I write this, I’m sitting outside with my laptop under a sun umbrella listening to the woodpecker and watching the grasses sway in the breeze. Bringing the outdoors to my work is critical to my well-being. What makes a difference for you?
When we follow our energy intuitively and logically, we naturally shift to work that sings to our soul as well as loving the life that we create for ourselves. This doesn’t mean to say it will be perfect all of the time, but at least we know where it has gone off track and what needs to happen for us to get focused once more of where we want to be.
‘Live Life. Love Work’ is about creating a career that fits the life you want. In the book, my coaching programmes and workshops, I address four dimensions of energy:
1 Physical energy
It goes without saying that when we’re well, we can conquer the world, we’re buzzing, energetic, enthusiastic and attractive to others. Physical health is the foundation for life, and easy to take for granted until the body fails in some way. Without your health you’re in trouble –you don’t feel alive. Physical well-being starts by fuelling the body with good quality food and water that converts to energy. It involves taking sufficient exercise: relevant activities to strengthen muscles and good quality relaxation and sleep.
2 Mental energy
Mental energy relates to using your intellectual powers with the optimum level of variety and challenge. It’s about recognising when you are in a state of ‘flow’ that leaves you fully engrossed and content with the job in hand. To function at your mental best involves harnessing all parts of the brain – at a conscious and unconscious level. When you give yourself ‘downtime’ with hobbies and interests that boost your creativity, you feed your ability to take on tough logical challenges too.
3 Emotional energy
Do your emotions govern you, or you govern them? When we are emotionally strong, we have a highly tuned awareness of ourselves and what triggers our emotions. Equally, we are sensitive to the needs of others, able to develop strong, empathic relationships. We are able to even out the peaks and troughs that form regular daily life.
4 Purposeful energy
Life without meaning and purpose becomes hard to sustain. Some people have a clear sense of direction and purpose; others know what feels right to them. Purposeful energy enables you to make meaning and connections in your life so that it feels ‘spirited’ and worthwhile. You know that you make a difference, just by who you are.
Contact me if you’d like to explore ways in which you can manage your energy in order to find the work that sings to you.
