Vitality comes from being wholehearted.
Half-heartedness drains vitality because you’re moving in two directions at once. Part of you jumps in. Part of you holds back.
Give yourself fully to challenges. Receive vitality in return.
“The antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness.” David Steindl-Rast
“Brother David taught that you don’t always need to take a break. Sometimes if you go all in and embrace the current task with wild abandon, … You may find the energy is already there.” (Quoted by Knapp and Zeratsky in Make Time.)
Exhausting Dread
Dread is an energy thief.
Foot-dragging drains you.
- Cleaning the garage.
- Engaging a problem employee.
- Completing performance appraisals.
- Examining your weaknesses.
Don’t dither. Jump in with a wholehearted “yes.”
Wholehearted Vitality
Fear births half-heartedness. Fear of looking stupid creates resistance. Fear of failure causes fatigue.
Vitality waits on the other side of commitment.
- The best way to learn to swing a golf club is to swing the club. Stop trying to look good.
- The best way to lead is to stop trying to look like a leader. Ask questions. Listen. Learn.
- The best way to learn to ride a bicycle is to wobble.
Answer dread with “yes.”
Worrying about perfection drains energy.
Anticipation is harder than action.
When have you dreaded something that turned out to be energizing once you jumped in?
Action Steps
- Look Back: When have you found energy on the other side of reluctance?
- Look Around: Where are you resisting engagement today?
- Look Forward: What would a wholehearted “yes” look like right now?
