Potentiality Explored No 12

How are your energy levels?

With this edition of Potentiality Explored, TopHat Discovery will complete our first year of sharing our coaching-led thoughts and reflections. We hope you’re enjoying them!

Today we’re discussing energy levels, which seems appropriate as December starts and we look towards the festive period and all that might require of us, as well as the start of a new year.

Over the last couple of weeks our group coaching sessions have been using the metaphor of The Battery Pack. It’s a fun theme. People shared ideas about what a battery pack means for them: “it’s how my electric bike is powered … it’s how I recharge my phone … it’s what I need when I forget to stop for lunch!”

What these sessions have really been about is resilience – when do we have it, what do we need it for, how do we build it and how do we sustain it. They’ve brought up interesting reflections about our energy levels - a key aspect of resilience – so we delved deeper with various questions, such as:

• what levels of energy do we need

• what do we do to ‘recharge our batteries’

• what are the emotions of energy

• what’s the effect on those around us when our energies are low

• is it OK to not feel energised?

As you move through this final month of the year, you may find yourself reflecting over the year to date. As you do, try asking yourself: when did I feel most energised, what about the times when I didn’t, how did I handle it?

Recharging our batteries

Has this year been more challenging than previous ones? We all have different experiences to draw from but there has certainly been discussion about needing resilience for the things that have been taking place and, looking ahead, what the world needs from us. That’s probably why the conversations about our reserves of energy have been welcomed by the people taking part in the group coaching sessions.

One of the joys of this type of coaching is how nuggets of wisdom are shared between the people in each group. If you’re wondering how you can summon up the right levels of energy, whether it’s for handling the things that are going on now, or for things that are coming down the track, have a look at these seven top tips that emerged in the group coaching sessions:

1. Notice yourself and what’s going on. There is restorative value from simply taking stock of the feelings and emotions that accompany our energy levels.

2. Be aware of things that draw you to the negative; awareness can encourage us to change behaviours or try a different approach towards those things.

3. Reflect on what gives you joy and meaning. Reconnecting with our values can provide a motivating sense of purpose.

4. Take a break, e.g. look out of a window for a few minutes or even enjoy being outdoors in nature if you can. A break, particularly if it involves natural light, boosts energies when we’re feeling depleted.

5. Give attention to breathing, nutrition, movement and hydration – intentional approaches to each of these can stimulate a sense of control and equilibrium.

6. Consider your relations with those around you, and model the connections you want to have.

7. Know yourself: your strengths and weaknesses, your biases and fears. There are times when it’s OK to not be functioning at optimum energy. Be kind to yourself!

What tips do you have for managing your energies? And how are your energy levels now?

Make a seasonal gift of coaching!

If you’re enjoying the effects these coaching thoughts are having (and do look back on previous editions of Potentiality Explored, which can all be accessed via the TopHat Discovery website), then why not make a gift of a coaching session for yourself or for someone you know? If you’d like to book, just drop us an email: hello@tophatdiscovery.com. We’d love to hear from you.