Sunday, November 6, 2011

Intentional Energy

Do you spend time thinking about where you put your energy? Who you give your energy to and why?

We have a choice each and every day about most everything in our life.  Such as a choice about how we use our energy or choices about who we spend time with or how we embrace opportunities and challenges.  People often think and talk about time management but through my experiences with the best coaches in the world, I believe the best also talk and think about energy management.  The best are intentional about where they put their energy.  They recognize that most of the time where they put their energy is a choice.  Some of you might be thinking? But if you get sick or are ill - that isn't a choice.  Correct it isn't, but how you deal with it is a choice.  I would challenge you to own your choices.  And that ownership of choices translates to energy management.

I was at a meeting recently and a gentleman walked in late and quickly said, "I am so sorry I am late, I had to finish that call."  The facilitator of the meeting said, "ok, but just to clarify, you chose to finish that call and to be late."   Challenging him to recognize that his being late was his choice.   And maybe it was a choice he wanted to make, but none the less it was a choice.

Great leaders own their decisions and own their energy management. They are intentional and aware of their choices.  The bi-product of this for leaders is a team that respects their focus on time and energy and, therefore, provides a healthy respect for time with their leader.

We can buy and/or hire things in life (if we choose to) but human energy isn't one of them.  I challenge you to embrace your days and weeks ahead with intentional energy management.  I am confident you will find what my coaches find, which is more wins then loses.

Twitter: @mollyfletcher