Creating
More Emotional Energy
Emotional
energy expresses itself in self¬confidence,
self-discipline, sociability, and
empathy. It’s possible to build
positive emotions just as one would
build muscles and physical strength.
Professional athletes know how important
it is to manage negative feelings
during crucial points. Frustration,
anger, or fear are toxic and can bring
performance down.
Executives who want to be able to
perform well under stress must learn
to “keep their eye on the ball”
and manage negativity. The studies
from the Hay-McBer Group have shown
that leaders communicate their moods
to their work groups in ways that
directly affect the corporate bottom
line.
Too few people recognize or try to
create feelings of pleasure and joy,
especially during grueling negotiations
and intense business meetings. Research
has shown, however, that humor and
good feelings are contagious and can
actually increase the chances of success
in business relationships. Friendships
are critical at work and affect job
performance. Time taken for relationship
building is crucial.
Creating
More Spiritual Energy
Spiritual energy, in the sense meant
here, has to do with your personal
connection to your true values and
deep sense of purpose. It depends
on taking care of yourself and others
with profound respect. It means honoring
your values, paying attention to your
gut instincts, and doing the right
things.
It is an amazing source of passion,
fortitude, and commitment. Those people
who connect with a purpose greater
than their own personal interests
demonstrate the most passion and energy.
Spiritual energy also depends on developing
past your limits and rest, recovery,
and renewal.
The
Power of Positive Rituals
Getting
in shape to fully engage in life and
work means deep involvement with purpose,
values, and self¬examination and
the establishment of effective energy
replenishing habits. First you must
define your true values and what is
most important to you, being positive
and unselfish. Then you must be honest
about where you are now and be willing
to admit that your excuses are no
longer good enough. Third, plan to
take action on three positive rituals
that will make a difference in your
energy levels. Be precise about when
you will engage in these positive
rituals—what time, for how long,
and on which days.
Some
busy executives who have built breaks
into their already overburdened schedules
have been astonished at how they have
expanded their capacities in all four
domains of energy. These breaks can
include deep breathing for a few seconds,
doing a quick meditation, rereading
a vision or mission statement, calling
a loved one, running up and down stairs,
taking a quick tour around colleagues’
cubicles for friendly chats, doing
a few sit-ups or stretches, eating
a healthy snack, or walking around
the block. It doesn’t matter
what one decides to do, but it is
crucial to be specific about the time
and activity. The idea is to reconnect
with purpose and recuperate energy
reserves.
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Working with
an executive coach is a good way to
reevaluate your performance in the
physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual
domains. Get real, get honest, get
positive—stretch your capacities
and then recuperate your energy. It
is your most precious resource.
Recommended
reading:
Bruch, H. & Ghoshal, S. (2004).
A Bias for Action: How Effective Managers
Harness their Willpower, Achieve Results,
and Stop Wasting Time. Boston: Harvard
Business School Press.
Groppel, J. L. (2000). The Corporate
Athlete: How to Achieve Maximal Performance
in Business and Life. N.Y.: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.
Loehr,
J. & Schwartz, T. (2003). The
Power of Full Engagement: Managing
Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High
Performance and Personal Renewal.
N.Y.: The Free Press/Simon & Schuster,
Inc.
15816
Summer Ridge Dr. Chesterfield, MO
63017 Office: 636-532-9445 Fax: 636-530-1879
lin@linhartspeaks.com
http://www.linhartspeaks.com
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