You are probably very aware of your physical energy levels, but what about your mental energy? And even more importantly, how to use your mental energy. I know many of you tell me that you are frequently feeling tired, listless, apathetic – that it is all just a bit too much of an effort. Nearly always concentrating on the physical outcomes.
However, what drives that is your mental energy!
Let me give you an example, that I am sure you have experienced: You get home, ‘dead’ on your feet and think you can hardly move for the rest of the evening. But then, your phone rings and a very special friend you haven’t seen in ages, says he is in town with an unexpected gap, could you meet up? Well, you are up, showered, dressed and out of the door for a lovely evening of laughter and story sharing. What happened to ‘dead on your feet’?
Directing your mental energy
When you realise that lack of physical energy is largely lack of mental energy to do the task, you can then make a decision as to what you really want to do.
Give yourself a short transition break (we have shared the importance of transitions in other blogs) to let your mental energy, catch up and start to switch. Then focus on what you want to do next. One thing at a time.
What is truly amazing is that you actually have SO much more physical energy than you may have previously thought. Use your mental energy to direct and control your physical energy – and reap the benefits!
Please let us know how this works for you!
Chi and I are standing by to hear/see from YOU! So, where is your attention?
Chi & I look forward to seeing / hearing from YOU!!!
To book a 15 minute Mind Chi Chat with Vanda to explore how Mind Chi might assist you, your group, team or company build resilience and joy!
TRANSITIONS – the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. How do you respond to that statement? Is it with excitement – ‘Oh goodie, something new??!!’ Or is it with trepidation, ‘Oh no, here we go again, can’t they leave stuff alone?’ Or is it with neutral, open anticipation, ‘What opportunities might this bring?’
Transitions are so very necessary
Transitions are brain friendly and crucial to your positive functioning.
Your brain continues to think about the last thing you focused on, AFTER you have stopped working on it! This is when it sorts, orders, files, wonders, makes sense of the information, or not.
So you MUST have at least a 5 – 10 minute gap before you start a fresh project, for your brain to serve you best. This is why meetings should be NO more than 45 minutes. Allow for a 15 minute gap – 5 to stand up and have a fluid level adjustment, and allow your brain to do its natural integration; 5 to breathe, chat, send a follow up email, and 5 to start to think about the next meeting.
‘ I am really negative about this 3-day training!’
That was voiced by the boss and seconded by his Senior Leadership Team as the introduction to the 3-day workshop. It now had to lead it over teams as we were unable to get together in person.
NOT the greatest of ways to start. So, what to do? I set about to create a series of very short 1 – 5 minute transitions to take us from one very serious topic to the next. We would all stand up and do some physical activity, that was mostly fun and fast. A couple were calming and re-energising breathing activities.
The stress no longer takes a strain on you
Gotta BEAT this attitude!
After that rather negative introduction, agenda, participation rules I has about 4 minutes to offer an alternative to the palpable negative gloom hanging over everyone. So I went through BEAT!
B – Body… Some slow breaths in and out with an explosion to eject any negativity, and in breath with calm and optimism. And a quick ‘x-ray’ , To wiggle out any jaw, neck or tummy tensions.
E – Emotions… I started by acknowledging the validity of their current feelings. Then asking, ‘Is that a help to you? Your colleagues? Your team and it’s success? If not, might you wish to try on some other emotions? Would anticipation, openness, receptivity be more constructive?
A – Actions… I warned them there would be lots of up and down, so their brains, backs and derrières would be exercised. Would they participate enthusiastically? The more you put in, the more you get out.’
T – Thoughts… They would all be sharing 6 months of their very hard work. That deserved, respect, and attention. Look for gaps and overlaps. Look for a new thought that may come from having this overview of all sections at the same time.
And so we got down to work. And they did brilliantly! We had short presentations, with opportunities for questions and discussion. Much laughter and deep questions, thoughts and open sharing. Really productive and enjoyable.
Factor transitions into your life
Between work and home; between waking up and getting ready for the day; between eating and the next activity – do them all through your day. Use mini-transitions, acknowledged and appreciated, before you go on to the next thing. Feel the power of T! Please let me know the differences you experience.
Chi and I are standing by on the ready to take your calls and emails!
Chi & I look forward to seeing / hearing from YOU!!!
To book a 15 minute Mind Chi Chat with Vanda to explore how Mind Chi might assist you, your group, team or company build resilience and joy!
