Managing our energy today is totally different than it was just a decade ago. A huge factor, no doubt, is that we’ve evolved, technologically, by leaps and bounds. These advancements continue to accelerate at a much quicker pace as the years move by! Now, with cellphones (i.e., mini computers) acting as our third arm, our attention is constantly divided. See, the problem is, there are more distractions to be had than ever before. And while we’ve evolved technologically, we haven’t biologically.
Our brains simply haven’t developed enough to sort out and cope with as many decisions as we’re confronted with minute by minute in today’s day and age.
Mental Energy
When you’re driving in your car and the light changes green, that’s a decision to go. At the same time, the DJ just came on and interrupted your music. So you have to make a decision whether or not to change the station. Now your phone is alerting you of notifications by dinging and chiming. Wait! Did that podcaster reply to the DM you sent her on Instagram this morning? But now you realize you’re going to be late to your meeting! As if the universe is playing a cruel joke, your phone – which never rings – starts ringing! But you don’t know whether to pick up the phone or just let it go to voicemail because you should probably call the office you’re running late to! Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Every single distraction – no matter how seemingly small – depletes your mental energy. That’s why I always say… if you want to make fewer decisions, you need more (and better) habits.
We’ve all had those days where we’re just sitting around, barely moving at all, but making tons of difficult decisions. Your focus is on high. And, guess what? You’re so freakin’ tired. All you want to do is go to bed!
That’s mental energy, lifers.
Listen, successful people have one thing in common. They know how to manage their energy.
A survey conducted by Forbes.com of millionaires, billionaires, and CEOs revealed that 76% of those polled exercise on the daily – or at least tried to.
It’s not because they’re trying to squeeze their butt muscles and pose on Instagram. They do it because they know they need to control their energy. Look, that’s why I shoot for exercising every single day. I know that my energy is depleted when I don’t exercise and it’s magnified and intensified when I do.
Speaking of which…
Physical Energy
How you sit in your chair, the way in which you respond to people, and your body language. You need to walk with a pep in your step. If you convey energy, your body will start acting energetically. Just like every wise mom tells her teenaged daughter, “stand up straight and shoulders back!”
And then, what happens? Your brain will follow.
All of this positive physical energy flowing through you affects the people and opportunities you’ll attract into your life.
People often ask me how it is I have so much energy. And my response is always the same: “by using energy.”
How does one have the energy to exercise? By exercising.
Physical energy starts the moment you wake up. Yes, even all by your lonesome. Looking in the mirror while brushing your teeth and forcing a smile between brushes!
If you put out to the world that you’re uninterested to be wherever you are, not much is going to come to you. But if you lean forward, really lean in, sit up with your shoulders down and away from your ears, and act eager to meet new people and understand their story… amazing things can happen. Especially if you expect them to happen.
We covered two of the four elements of energy. The remaining two are:
- Emotional
- Spiritual
For a more in-depth (and game changing talk) on mastering your energy – including each of the four energy quadrants, make sure you listen to my hot-off-the-presses podcast, titled: Master Your Energy: 4 Types of Energy You Need for Success! Check it out on The Chalene Show NOW!