What's Fueling You? A Guide to More Energy by Shawn Driscoll

2.Conflicts, problems or crises: some people constantly find themselves fire-fighting and running from one problem to the next. When no problems present themselves, they may go looking for one to solve. You may be using problems or crises for fuel if you find that you feel “the most alive” or “on” when faced with a high level of drama, or if you recognize that drama and problems are a constant presence in your life.

3.Sugar, Caffeine, Alcohol, Drugs: these can be a source of “instant” energy in a pinch. However, if you rely upon caffeine to start your day, and turn to it throughout the day to keep from crashing, you may be over-relying on this unhealthy source of energy. Sugar or alcohol is often used in combination with caffeine—to calm you down after the need for the energy is over. Using substances to keep you going can become a problem if it is your main source of energy and you find that at the end of the day you feel completely drained or “out of gas”.

Healthy Sources of Energy: while the three sources listed above do give us energy, it is generally short lived energy and will quickly require another “fix” to keep you going. In contrast, the healthy energy sources are much more sustainable. This means you have a more constant amount of energy without the peaks and valley’s characteristic of the noxious sources. Another distinction between the two is that with healthy sources of energy you may still feel tired at the end of the day, but it’s not the exhausted, totally drained feeling that comes from burning noxious fuel. Here are three great sources of energy.

1.Energizing People: we all have those people in our lives who somehow give us more energy when we’re with them. Think of those relationships (personal or professional) where you are left feel light and energized. How can you build more of those relationships into your life while minimizing or eliminating those draining ones?

2.Healthful foods: while each person is different in terms of what foods fuel their body the best, it is clear that consistently eating proteins and carbohydrates (not the sugar laden ones) does keep us going in a healthful way. What foods work best for you? Drinking water helps too, since dehydration is very tiring.

3.Energizing Activities: certainly it would be nice if we could just do the things we love to do, but that is not always realistic. It is, however, possible to build more energizing activities into your schedule. Do you get so caught up in gardening, biking, painting, dancing, or cooking that you lose sense of time? This is a sign that the activity is energizing for you. It doesn’t have to be a big time commitment to be energizing. Simply listening to your favorite music can be energizing. Or surrounding yourself with flowers, colors you love, pictures, or pets. What are your energizing activities?

We can and do choose our sources of energy and motivation. Some of our choices give us positive energy that lifts us up and brings out our best. Others ultimately weigh us down and drain us of our spirit. What will you choose to use?

(c) 2004 Shawn M. Driscoll

www.succeedcoaching.com

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This article may be reproduced, in its entirety, along with the following information: This article is provided courtesy of Shawn Driscoll, Career and Business Coach. If you are ready to succeed, on your own terms, contact shawn@succeedcoaching.com or visit www.succeedcoaching.com.

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BIO:

Shawn is a career and business coach located in Metro Detroit, Michigan. She has over 15 years experience helping people succeed at work with less sacrifice and struggle. As owner of www.succeedcoaching.com. she seeks to motivate people to create fulfilling work lives.

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