Do you have the energy to succeed?
So let me start with a simple question – Do you have the energy to succeed?
You can’t hide lack of energy and motivation since it’s evident from how you carry yourself. Sit down somewhere and watch people walking by and you will quickly notice who has what it takes and who hasn’t.
So what do I mean by energy?
Think of energy as two streams of life – one based on negativity and fear thinking, that is “What’s wrong” and the other fed by creative and positive thinking that produces questions like “What’s right,” “What’s the opportunity here,” and “How can we make this work?”
During any typical workday, most people spend a great deal of time focusing on what’s wrong — with their family, their jobs, their projects, their colleagues, their relationships, and their lives.
What we accentuate and dwell on, focus on, and look for in each day makes all the difference. It’s just like looking at a glass and seeing it half full or half empty.
Which stream do you think you currently swim in?
What do you think it will take to shift the pressure and negativity that surrounds your life? What will help you, your colleagues and co-workers to be productive, content, and have a positive view of both the businesses we all work for and the people we work with?
It will require a shift in thinking – as essentially what you think creates your reality.
Let me explain – our thinking is a result on our beliefs, the assumptions we have about the world and life, the interpretations we make about other people’s behaviours and the limitations we perceive in ourselves. These four factors are the foundations of our thinking and as a result produce the energy we exhibit.
Here are seven suggestions to boost your energy and shift your thinking:
- Develop self-awareness
Learn about your default tendencies, that is the way you react generally to circumstances. Understand how you personally filter information and your perceptions. Ask yourself – what are your thoughts and beliefs in a particular situation you face? How often do you focus on the negative or find yourself in a reactive mode? How often do you focus on what’s right and are excited about the possibilities?
- Be aware of others
Observe your colleagues, co-workers, friends, etc and see how they engage and contribute. Are they seeing the glass half empty or half full? It is all about “what’s wrong?” or “how can we make this happen?” Where is their thinking coming from?
- Intentionally choose how you are going to show up
Decide how you want to lead and how your energy, values, etc are going to show up in conversations, relationships and decision-making. Don’t ever forget you have the power to choose.
- Ask and listen
Become more aware, through probing and listening, so that you can address matters in a more positive manner. Go back to the video in our Monday Motivation of August 3 to learn more about listening.
- Be a coach
Coaching is all about drawing answers from deep within the “coachee”. It is a positive, collaborative, thought-provoking process.
- Find a coach for yourself
Sometimes it is difficult to understand our own deeper feelings and values without someone helping us out. We may only see our reflection rather than the amazing person in the mirror.
- Bring out greatness in yourself and others.
Recognise people for what they are capable of. Acknowledge and point out their greatness.
Words have power. I challenge you to eliminate the negative words as you recognise them. For me I say the word “Cancel!” when I hear one come out of my mouth and immediately select a positive word to replace it. Try it for just a day. You’ll feel the results! Then make it part of your life routine.
Latch on to the affirmative. Remind yourself what you’ve achieved. Write a gratitude journal or write out positive affirmations that assume the best and keep them in your pocket. Review them often. Both are truly powerful exercises.
How are you going to show up? Do you have the energy to succeed?
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