Energy and Presence
Have you ever heard or made the following statement; “I just don’t get him” or “Our chemistry just doesn’t mix well together”? If we replay these types of statements in our minds, it eventually becomes our truth and working relationships with whoever the object of the comment might be, seem to rarely improve.
I will start by presenting two types of energy and how they play a significant role in our personal effectiveness. The two energy types I am referring to are Anabolic and Catabolic. Anabolic energy is constructive, building, healing energy. This type of energy releases anabolic hormones, such as testosterone, into the body. The second type of energy is called catabolic energy. It is draining, destructive energy. This type of energy releases catabolic chemicals, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which actually eat away at our very cells. The below model provides an overall summary of the seven levels of energy. It also includes the core thoughts, feelings, and behavior associated with each level.
Source: Bruce D. Schneider, 2006
Energy Blocks, Defaults, & Awareness
Our thought process can work to block our energy. In the coaching community we use an acronym called GAILs. It stands for Gremlins, Assumptions, Interpretations, and Limiting Beliefs.
Gremlins are the internal voices that tell us we’re not good enough and leads to self-doubt.
Assumptions are when we have an expectation that because something happened in the past that it will happen again.
Interpretations create an opinion or judgment that you create about an event, situation, person, or experience and believe to be true.
Limiting Beliefs are things that we accept about life, ourselves, the world, or about the people in it, that limits our thinking in some way.
We must increase our individual level of awareness to begin the process of noticing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can feed our GAILs. A combination of things such as our life experiences, ways of thinking, and the roles we fulfill may begin to shape our overall presence and how we make choices and choose how we show up in life. Our default energy level is how we show up when things are typically going well for us. A few quick ways to increase your level of awareness includes getting grounded and centered through activities such as deep breathing, meditation, and feedback from people with your best interest in mind.
Energy Choices
In our lives and all the dynamics that accompany us along the way, we must remember that we always have choice regardless of our different circumstances. It is when we forget or loose sight of the available choices, is when we take on victim thinking and behavior. Choice can be described as having the freedom to see things as we desire, feel what we want, and live the life we created. We must intentionally choose in each moment how we want to live life.
Applying the Model to Life – Why it Matters…
Most people go through life without being more intentional about their choices. Over time we can become disengaged from true passion and fulfillment. When we decide to become more conscious and engaged, several things begin to occur.
- Reduced Judgment and Stress
- Increased Productivity and Pleasure
- Renewed Clarity of Purpose and Fulfillment
Our energy levels are evident in our presence and how we show up in the world. Our GAILs combined with our thoughts, feelings, and behavior impact how others experience us each day. Some of our thoughts have a catabolic effect and bring down our energy levels and may limit our consideration of available options. The more anabolic thinking we do, the more sense of freedom, choice, power, and fulfillment we experience. Each thought we entertain has an energetic implication. Catabolic energy injures us, while anabolic energy heals or builds us up over time (Schneider, 2006).
