Energy

“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” ~Aristotle

Energy is the most critical factor to everything you do. Without energy, you go nowhere. Each day you need enough energy to perform the difficult tasks it takes to reach the high peaks of goals you set. You never want to fail to give 100 percent each day. Once a day is gone, you can never get it back. If you do not have the energy to give your best, over time this builds up resentment which is not the path you are on. You and I are on the path of the elevated life.

You want to make it through each part of the day, full on the inside and not tapping out with an empty tank. Make a resolute decision right now that you will never submit due to lack of energy! Too many people move through life without thinking critically and miss choosing the best way. Lack of critical thinking leads them down the path of the limited life.

Let’s look at how many people use their car as an example of not thinking. They start driving and keep driving until the gas indicator light comes on. Instead of checking the indicator before starting up, they just wait for the “dumb” light to come on to tell them, “Hey, stupid, feed me some gas.” I asked a client one day, “When do you fill up your car?” He said, “Well, you know, I fill up when the light comes on.” I retorted, “Really?” He shot back, “Well, sure. How else would I know it was low?”

My comeback: “Have you ever wanted to get somewhere quickly but run out of gas because of that choice?” And he replied, “Well, yeah, it’s happened, but you know,

I’m pretty good about getting someone to help out or understand and forgive my lateness.”

I hope his destination never requires crossing the middle of a desert at midnight! Sometimes you will have to cross the desert at midnight to reach your elevated life. Why even take the chance of running out of gas? The car gauge can work okay as a shortcut so you don’t

have to worry about it because it’s automatic. But, will you ever get your elevated life if you just leave the autopilot engaged? How’s that working out for you?

The key is to plan ahead. Be intentional. Plan to have more than the energy required to reach any destination. Know roughly what level of energy it will take. Whatever and whenever your special trip takes place, you want to be prepared because you may only get one shot. You have to be the main pilot in the cockpit on manual control. I have not found any other way to achieve an elevated life. I do know it does not happen without a conscious plan and the energy to act on that plan.

Just like your car, know when your own tank is getting low. Have the foresight to fuel up earlier in the day so you keep running until your set sleep time. If your car runs out of gas, you might be late for an opportunity. If you run out of energy, or feel just a little bit on the low side, you might blow a promotion or lose a big deal.

Failure to plan ahead and pump ample reserves into your energy tank can keep you from getting ahead.

Create Your Own Power Move

One of the things I love to do to generate energy is to create my own “power move.” It might sound crazy, but the power move amps and excites you. One piece of the power move is to start your day with positive affirmations, just as powerful human performance speaker Tony Robbins teaches.

Whatever your positive statement is as part of your power move, scream it out at the top of your lungs. Here are three examples: “I AM great!” “I AM powerful!” “I AM going to be rich!” Roar or scream it loudly if it makes you feel good. The feeling and belief you inject as you say these words infuses them with the power to help you.

Let your power move, and the intention behind it, be known to all. You are a winner, a conqueror and a healthy genius who never stops until you reach your final destination. Say it, believe it, and be it!

I recommend you add some sort of physical movement as you are confidently bellowing out the words. You could take a page from Tiger Woods book when he was at his peak. Each time he would hit a good shot, he would close his fist and give a fist pump to reinforce to his mind and body the good behavior it had just accomplished. It may seem a little corny but there’s a reason professional athletes and top performers have a power move. It signals your body and mind to do more of what it just did.

You may not like the fist pump. Maybe you prefer to jump in the air in triumph as you’re saying your power words. This could be your full combination power move. Perhaps you prefer to rise to your tippy toes and raise your hand as high above your head as you can while visualizing achieving your big dream as you say your power words. Take some latitude in what type of physical movement makes sense for you in your current condition.

Just make sure it is a move of power and confidence. Weakly fluttering your hand does not send the signal to your body that you are looking to send. Even if you can only make a fist and raise your arm over your head, which is a universal victory signal, that achieves the purpose of reinforcing your good behavior.

One thing to be aware of is screaming early in the morning might cause an initial reaction from your associates, your family or even strangers if you are loud enough. You might want to prepare them first and then go for it. Scream! Dance! Jump! Who cares! It is your day getting started and you want your energy zooming, your mind buzzing and your creative juices flowing.

You are the most powerful individual doing what comes naturally when you resolve to be productive in the early morning hours. Of course, use your power move during other parts of the day to reinforce good behavior and infuse yourself with more energy.