Running On Empty

Posted on December 04, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

Vince Lombardi said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” In the research for their book, “The Power of Full Engagement,” Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz stress that managing one’s energy is the key to peak performance.

“The importance of physical energy seems obvious for athletes, construction workers, and farmers.  Because the rest of us are evaluated by what we do with our minds than with our bodies, we tend to discount the role that physical energy plays in performance.  In most jobs, the physical body has been completely cut off from the performance equation.  In reality, physical energy is the fundamental source of fuel… It lies not only at the heart of alertness and vitality but also affects our ability to manage our emotions, sustain concentration, think creatively, and even maintain our commitment to whatever mission we are on.”

My brother owns a dog who loves chasing after sticks, tennis balls, or whatever else is thrown into the lake we frequently visit in northern Minnesota.  There is nothing like the joy in that dog’s eyes, and the enthusiasm in his pant, as he anticipates “the throw.”  And after a few fake throws (you have all done this to a dog) I toss a stick as far as my arm can throw.  Then, like a bolt of lightening, off goes the dog, only to return a few minutes later with the stick in mouth, ready to do it all over again. 

What I have discovered is that if I can keep that dog chasing sticks for a long enough period of time, he will eventually reach a state of fatigue where he is forced to quit.  He just can not continue.  And if this dog reaches this level of fatigue, he is usually done, not just for a few minutes, but for the rest of the day.  He will just lay there and sleep with the stick hanging out of it’s mouth for a long, long time.

Our bodies work in the same way. If our bodies are allowed to reach a certain level of fatigue, we end up being tired and worn out – not just for a few hours, but for a number of days.  In this go, go, go – action packed world in which we live, you need to carefully manage your energy to maintain the fortitude and resilience needed to pursue your goals.  This involves keeping your life in balance.  Balancing your need for rest and renewal with the need to work and execute well.
 

A few thoughts on managing your Energy:
• Energy is the currency of personal and professional success.

• You choose your energy – just as you choose your attitude. You must take personal responsibility for your energy level.

• High levels of “emotional energy” are derived from: Clarity of Purpose, Daily Focus toward that Purpose, Authentic Passion, Laughter, and Meaningful Relationships. High levels of “physical energy” are derived from: A Healthy diet, Proper Rest, and Regular Exercise.

• Your level of Emotional Energy and level of Physical Energy are interrelated. They feed off each other.

• It’s all about managing your time AND energy. You need to focus on, and develop habits that maximize both.

• Don’t waist your emotionally energy on people who don’t care – on people who just don’t get it… “Don’t let anyone walk through your mind with muddy feet.”