CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, MA, CPCC

August, 2002

Dedicated to your growth and exploration

WONDERING: Do gold fish watch people when they need to reeve up their adrenaline?

WATCH YOUR ENERGY!

One area of exploration for clients is to notice their energy: what gives energy and what takes energy? People are very different in their answers to these questions. And many people are not aware of what drains or builds them.

In daily life we have a number of challenges-tasks to complete, a job and boss to satisfy, family members to spend time with, and household chores. It is crucial to be aware of and guard our energy so we can complete as many of the items on the huge TO DO lists we develop (on paper or in our heads) and hopefully have excess energy to get to a personal wish list.

One type of small leak in the energy bucket is a thing in your home or life that you notice regularly and would like to take time to change, but you don't. For me, this irritation was a huge cabinet overstuffed with 10,000 Tupperware and Rubbermaid containers. What a frustration to try to coordinate a bottom and a top that fit the leftovers and each other!

So I finally took 30 minutes (yes, it was a LOT of Tupperware) and cleaned it out. Now it is a joy to look into the cabinet and easily find a useful container. It feels so nice to have this source of upset taken care of.

What is frustrating you on a daily or weekly basis? Is it time to take care of this energy leak?

On another level, our energy can be built or drained by our life and work situations. When I took a week-long class to qualify to administer the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), I learned more about this assessment and especially about the four dichotomies. The assessment measures how you prefer to act in the world. There are 16 possibilities and through the assessment and a thorough discussion of it, you determine your own preferences.

One of the four dichotomies is Extroversion/Introversion which measures where you get your energy and pay attention in the world. People who prefer the Extroversion choice receive energy from being with others. They actually feel an energy boost after being around others and chatting. Those like myself who have a preference for Introversion actually receive energy when we are alone and looking inside for guidance, wisdom or insights.

EXTRAVERSION

Speak up first in meetings
Work out their problems verbally
Tell you what they are thinking easily
Learn best by doing and discussing
Have broad interests
Very sociable and expressive
Willing to take initiative

INTROVERSION

Reflect before they share ideas
Prefer to write rather than verbalize
Learn best by reflection
Focus in depth on their interests
Private and contained
Will take initiative when something is important

It was fascinating to sit down at a round table with 3 people of each preference and talk. It is clear that unless we are familiar with this dichotomy, it can lead to some huge misunderstandings. People who have an Extroversion preference wonder if the Introversion preference people are angry or upset about something since they don't talk until they've reflected. Those of us who prefer Introversion can't believe that the Extroversion preference so easily just come right out and say whatever seems to come to their minds.

It's important to know your self and what feed your energy so you can take responsibility for keeping your energy up. What preference do you have-Extroversion or Introversion? What about your family or friends?

On yet another level, where are you really ALIVE? What gives job to your heart and soul? Where do you lose track of time and your worries? Is it on a mountain trail walking on a cool damp cushion of pine needles? Is it sitting at your desk writing and sending your love to others? Is it reading a book to escape or one to challenge your thought patterns? Is it crafting a creative wonder to beautify our world? Is it building the best, most nutritional meal for yourself and your family? Watching children at play or animals frolicking? Playing or listening to music?

When I do the activities (or spend the time alone) that feed my soul, I have much more energy for other "duties." I enjoy talking quietly with a friend about meaningful matters of the heart. When I take time for friends that I have energy for other tasks. I love being outside for a walk in a park and especially on a hilltop.

What makes your heart sing? Plan to sprinkle your life with these activities or times of quiet. The energy-producing portions will fuel the rest of your day.

As an aside, you can sometimes turn a draining activity into an energy-building one. I used to hate chopping veggies-too tedious. Then decided to look upon it as a way to add zing to my salads and take better care of myself. Now I do the chopping with a whole new attitude.
Watching your energy drainers and builders is great self-care. However, it also is taking care of others and your chores. Without energy you won't get done what you want to and your body eventually might declare a holiday (a cold or flu) to force you to slow down and re-build your energy.

Is there another way to look at your energy drainers?

REMINDER: September 11th is World Day of Prayer so plan to honor the day in your own way-either in prayer or taking a few moments of silence or being with friends and family. Also I'd suggest you decide ahead of time how much television you want to watch that day. Let's keep our focus on rising above the violence to focus on love.

If you are interested in the MBTI or in coaching, call or email me.

eva

Eva Dahm
Coach Catalyst