how to

optimize for energy

to achieve your full potential

Energy Iceberg (part 2 of 2)

academy

As we move forward on our individual Journey to Purpose, we must continually draw on the three main levers of personal progress… time, talent, and energy.

In this course we’ll talk about the limits of time and talent, as important as they are, and the need to really learn how to optimize for energy to achieve the greatest forward thrust.

lesson 1

energy provides lift

the iceberg

The best way to think about the interplay between our time, talent, and energy is to think of an iceberg. Time and Talent are what lie above the waterline of our personal attention. They manifest themselves as behavior (what we do with our time and our talent). But it’s what lies below the waterline of our attention that matters most, and that’s energy.

When our energy for our activities and objectives is high, it drives up the impact of time and talent. But when that energy fades, so too does the impact of our time and talent. Understanding this interplay, and learning to balance the conflict that can occur with energy, is critical to maintaining motivation to achieve what matters most.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

change your energy, change your outcome

Energy drives the behaviors that produce real, long-term outcomes. So if you want to change a long-term outcome, look to change your energy. By way of illustration, consider the following comparison, and take a minute to reflect or journal about it. See what you discover about energy and its impact on success.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 2

optimize for energy

manage your energy, not your time

In a Harvard Business Review article by Tony Schwartz, he describes that while time is limited, energy is not. When we manage energy across 4 dimensions (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual), it leads to up to a 20% increase in performance.

Over-engineering our time can lead to exhaustion. But increasing our ability to optimize our energy ultimately leads to making the most out of the time we have, increasing the impact of both our time and our talent for maximum momentum through life.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

choose how to optimize

As you think about your long term goals and you set your sights on what you really want to achieve, take the following into consideration (watch the video and then take the assessment below).

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 3

get oriented

Perspective as a tool for progress

When we use Perspective as a tool for progress, we are looking to the past for growth, not failure. We look to the future for opportunity, not threats.  

We focus on the entire journey rather than each footstep; and we actively reshape or replace the lens in our field glasses to refocus our life. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

add energy back

One of the best ways to increase energy is to reorient our perspective. Watch the following video, then answer the questions in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 4

energy habits

building or depleting energy

How do you create energy? How do you expend your energy? Habits, activities, conversations, and thought processes all contribute to or deplete our energy. 

It’s wise for us to always be intentional about the energy we choose to spend.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

rituals or rocks

Life often throws unexpected challenges our way. These challenges can throw us off course. But as we choose to build good habits, even when they are strenuous and require discipline, they can propel us forward on our journey to purpose. Watch the following video and then answer the questions below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 5

measuring energy

the right direction and the right speed

How we measure our own personal energy, or keep score, is a powerful motivator for us to push past obstacles and be resilient on our personal journey.

Here is the story of Planck’s Constant, what became a fundamental way for us to keep score of energy, and what that means for us in our personal lives.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

gauging our energy

We all have an inner compass. It nudges us toward our inner, personal identity and purpose. We can also gauge whether our energy is increasing or decreasing. Watch the following video, then respond in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 6

confidence and carefulness

launch or retest

There is a lot riding on our success. We need to be performing and executing with as high a level of confidence as we can possibly achieve. That confidence comes from intentionality around our use of time, talent, and energy.

Here is the story of NASA, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic. It illustrates what we can learn about commercial space flight and how we choose to move forward in our own personal lives in our pursuit of purpose.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

gas or brakes?

If the only tool we have is the gas pedal, we will lose control and crash. If our only tool is the brake pedal, we won’t ever go anywhere. Watch the following video, then respond in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 7

dedication to practice

key improvements

Sometimes, despite our efforts, we come up short. When this happens, we can either put a little more energy in or redirect our energy in a more efficient way.

Here is the story of Mark Spitz and the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. What can we learn by his dedication to improvement?

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Energy Tweaks

Like Mark Spitz, do you ever feel like you’re on top of your game with talent but are still not getting the results that you want? Watch the following video, then respond in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 8

keeping up confidence

Unresponsive World

Despite the difficulty of isolation or the pressure of outside voices that distract us from our journey, we can still build the energy we need to thrive by cultivating intrinsic motivation.

Here is the story of the world’s loneliest whale. A migrating whale with a unique voice, which is too high for any other whale to hear… and what that means for your personal resilience in life.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Thriving

When you consider how well you maintain energy, do you find your ability to stay energized is correlated with your interaction with others? Watch the following video, then respond in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 9

momentum

odds of success

Change is a direction, not a destination. As we turn knowledge into action, we generate enough energy and develop the momentum needed to make the changes we want. 

In this lesson, you’ll learn some simple steps to dramatically increase your likelihood of success when it comes to changing your future and moving forward on your journey to purpose.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

schedule your moves

When you consider how well you maintain energy, do you find your ability to stay energized is correlated with your interaction with others? Watch the following video, then respond in the space below.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 10

conclusion

in conclusion

Of time, talent, and energy—energy matters most. Focusing on energy will lead to success as we maximize our productivity and accomplish our goals.

So as you optimize your life on moving forward along your Journey to Purpose, maximize thrust by learning how to optimize for your energy.

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