The Unalterable Law of Energy
Low energy is fatigue. No energy is death.
Only 11% of us had a great deal of energy yesterday. Tom Rath
Healthy fatigue rests joyfully, but weariness dreads tomorrow.
Success with energy, according to Gallup, is one of the five factors of wellbeing at work.
The five factors of wellbeing at work:
- Career wellbeing: You like what you do every day.
- Social wellbeing: You have meaningful friendships in your life.
- Financial wellbeing: You manage your money well.
- Physical wellbeing: You have energy to get things done.
- Community wellbeing: You like where you live.
Dangers of fatigue:
Fatigue gnaws at potential and corrodes resolve.
Energy is courage. “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Vince Lombardi
Fatigue opens you to the attack of enemies you defeated in the past. When your energy tank is low, you fall into destructive habits, say things you regret, and pollute the atmosphere.
Exhaustion makes you stumble on pebbles.
The unalterable law of energy:
Pouring out requires pouring in.
Pour in more than you pour out and live on the overflow. If you’re exhausted, the ratio of pouring out to pouring in is off kilter.
Tip: Meaningful work is pouring out and pouring in at the same time.
I asked an online audience to text me things that fuel their energy. I received over 350 messages. Here are ten.
- Meditation.
- Playing catch with my dog.
- Baking.
- Positive feedback.
- Prayer.
- Family get togethers.
- Time alone in the woods.
- Working out.
- Challenges.
- A good night’s sleep.
A little restoration goes a long way. Take a short walk.
A little discipline pays big dividends. Don’t overeat.
A little encouragement is fuel. Express gratitude.
Small improvements are confidence to look forward.
Tip: Find some friends that pour into your tank instead of draining it.
What gives you energy?
Added resources:
How to Fuel Tomorrow’s Energy Tonight
How to Manage Energy: 4 Out Of 10 Are Drained At Work
What gives you energy? Your Blog everyday!!! On a more pertinent note, the walking routine I started back in November continues, refreshes the mind, opens my eyes to the surroundings we take for granted dropping a few pounds helps too. So in general maintaining ourselves to be alert and physically up to the daily tasks we all endure.
Thanks Tim. Writing Leadership Freak is one of the things that both gives and requires energy. 🙂
The big takeaway from the responses is that everyone gets energy from different places. So don’t assume that the folks who work with or for you get energy the same way you do.
I wonder if Spiritual Wellbeing should be added to the list of factors. Meditation, prayer, and even a walk in the woods could be tied to this.
What gives you energy?
1. Watching my grandsons play sports.
2. Thinking about ways to simplify a management, leadership, or organizational concept.
3. Debates with my wife.
4. Learning something new.
5. Finding a way to add value.
Hey Dan,
I love this article! I’m so thankful for your daily emails and the insights they bring! Laughter & music sure lift my fatigue and provide additional vitality to my day. I agree with John that Spiritual Wellbeing should be added and listed as factor #1. Have a sweet day,
Great article, when thinking about quality of life, I find Dr. Robert Schalock’s 8 domains useful – Personal Development, Self Determination, Interpersonal Relationships, Social Inclusion, Rights, Emotional Well Being, Physical Well Being and Material Well Being. Thanks.
Meaningful, heart-to-heart conversations with my team members is a crucial source of energy for me.
Meaningful, heart-to-heart conversations with my team members is a daily source of energy for me.
Boy did I need this one, Dan – thank you! Going to set a goal to be in bed by 9pm tonight and hug my kiddos (both are restorative to me).
I wonder if it’s telling that none of the ten things you list is innately connected only to work. It suggests that “work”, as in employment/career/day job, call it what you will, does NOT create energy. Is it then the case that at best, in the workplace, you can only create a climate where the energy drain is minimised? That it’s like insulating your house, and at best all you do is manage downward what you have to spend keeping it warm?
I like the ten listed. One I would add is a daily or regular Gratitude practice. Spending a few minutes regularly reflecting on things/people in my life that I am grateful for makes me more appreciative of my life and energizes me at the same time. Reflecting on the five factors of well being frankly makes me very grateful indeed. BTW I do hope the stat about only 11% having great energy is wrong, but it’s good to keep that perspective in mind as I interact with those around me, particularly in the work sense. Thanks!
Nice leadership spin on the “law of conservation of energy!”
I enjoy my interactions as I’m leading my teams. However, as an introvert, taking some time to escape to be by myself seems to be the best way to re-energize. The pouring in can be as simple as a 15-minute walk between meetings.