Staying Energized
I went through a rough patch last night. It’s really hard to get me down, but sometimes, something happens that really sinks my mood. But from this, as I do with most things in my life, I came out with something to think about.
First, The Social Net Has Changed
Years ago, I was fond of saying that the Internet is a crappy place to take a bad mood. When you’re feeling down, don’t go looking to the social networks of the day (mostly chat rooms and forums) to make you feel better. But last night, when I mentioned briefly in Twitter that I felt down, I got a bunch of responses all at once from friends. That was new. Different than normal.
I don’t advocate asking the Internet for support when you feel a little blue. It just turned out okay last night. Believe me, I know quite a few “sad sacks” that will never feel happy, and that love to throw sad moods on you like a soaked wool sweater. But if you find yourself in a rare, weird bout of the blues, try Twittering. You never know.
How Do I Stay Energized?
Friends and reading. Learning and accomplishing. Trying, reviewing, and trying something new. Sharing what I’ve learned.
These are all the bread and butter of what keeps my engine going. When I read about what friends are up to, it motivates me. When I hang out with an energized crowd, I take that creative energy with me for days afterwards. And when I learn new things, or hit some kind of goal, I feel alive and ready to do even more.
Trying out all kinds of ideas and sharing the ones I’m either about to try or haven’t the time to try are other ways I keep topped up on energy and motivation.
Energy Comes from Doing
Observing, sitting back, reacting are all words that keep you from feeling top shelf and moving through your challenges towards something bigger. I find that by reaching out, trying new things, making new friendships bloom, are ways that I keep my “doing-engine” purring along. When I fall back into a pattern of passivity, for whatever purpose, is when I feel a bit down.
Stay aware of your moods, your energy, and what you’re doing in given days. Be attentive to which friends boost your energy, and which tax it. Try having more of the A column, and less of the B.
The Basics
Exercise, good food, and sleeping well help. No, really. If you can manage those, you’ll have more energy than the average palooka. Believe it or not, sleep isn’t an optional commodity.
And You?
How do you stay energized? What do you do when something comes along to scuttle your mood? Are you known around the office as someone energetic and upbeat? Or are you the low-energy downer person?
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Comments
When I’m feeling down, I try to get everyone around me to laugh in the hope that it would rub off on me. I tell a funny story, tell a joke, and - what can I say - it works :)
Dr. Bob Brooks talks a lot about being resilient. he also has a concept of “significant adult”- there are those people in your life who make a real difference- those from whom you can draw energy and excitement, and others who suck it out of you like a leech. There are some people who just make you tired and depressed, while others seem to act like a generator of good will and support.
I’ve found, over time,the best strategy is to try to minimize my time with the energy drainers, and maximize it with the energy creators. Don’t let the negative people get you down, the drama creators- just gradually remove them from your list as you can, and things will get dramatically better.
Hi
Here is what gives me energy
I hold the hope and conviction that I can make the world a better place. It starts with my self, my family, my friends, my community, my country and finally the world.
I carry a smooth gratitude rock around with me. When ever I touch it I think of all that I am grateful for.
The unconditional love of my family and my dogs.
Role ambivalence drains energy. The difference between a direction we want to take ourself, and another direction we feel pushed makes our engine idle and presses our emergency break. Lingering at this position for long will cause more than energy problems. Finding a balance between our social desire versus becoming our individual potential is one of the fundamental human conundrums.
I think it’s ok to have a moment like that from time to time Chris. As my yoga instructor said yesterday it’s important to have light and dark so you can appreciate both in your life. Some of the best things in my life have come about as the result of some very challenging times.
When I find myself in those situations I find that what energizes me is doing things for others. Even something as simple as going through my list of friends and sending out some e cards. It always amazes me how many people respond with “I really needed that today.”
As of last night, I stay motivated by REVVING my MOTORCYCLE!!!
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-Bad
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-Bad
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-Bad
Bad to the Bone!
I try to maintain the idea that SOMEONE out there wants to hear what I have to say, so whenever I’m feeling down or unmotivated, I can rest assured that it’s only the view from the inside. No motivation means its time to pull the drapes and get some!
There’s a difference between being in the present and dwelling on it. One thought that gets me moving out of a funk is to remember that “nothing very good or very bad lasts very long”.
It’s absolutely “ok” (actually, necessary) to have the down moments, and sometimes very helpful to just let them happen so that they can end.
That said, choice is a big component of energy - choosing to stay as positive as you can, choosing to find silver linings, etc. You seem to excel at choosing positive responses, you’re an energizing model that way.
What do they say? Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional?
Oh, and who or what is lemons? http://twitter.com/chrisbrogan/statuses/121042122
I’ve found that when I’m really “stuck” in a mood or can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, blogging about it and getting the perspective/advice of people who don’t know me that well — it’s really helpful. I enjoy reading the opinions of people who aren’t just “trying to be nice” and don’t know what to say. Strangers are more apt to say “Hey! Quit whining and…” — it’s great. I love it. And god knows, sometimes I need it!
Energy comes from our willingness to move into nature, to listen to what our gut is telling us. It’s the most ancient part of ourselves, more than our minds and even more than our hearts (although I want to believe the heart rules). It actually gives us clues as to when we should turn the fire on low.
As we humbly allow ourselves to listen to those inner cues, and possibly turn inside, getting quiet, or maybe reaching out for a bit of help (for that is part of the gut instinct, we are communal beings) we will receive what is necessary at that moment to keep the energy going.
There have been many times when I’ve had a class to teach where I seriously think “I so don’t want to do this, I don’t think I have the energy.” Then my students come into it. When they come in so committed, so ready, so willing to learn, something inside of me lights up. I often ‘forget’ that ‘i’m tired.’ I find that the gift of forgetfulness is part of staying energized. As much as we feel exhausted and need time to chill, just as much we must allow others, from their honest gift to affect us, to give us the boost that we need.
Listen to your gut, turn inside and be willing to recieve….that’s my 2 cents :) oh yeah, inhale and then…EXHALE…totally works, trust me ;)