DB: I want to welcome you; this is Dave Buck and we'll be talking about the 3-step coaching module on sources of energy. If you'd like to check in, in the meantime that would be great! (participants check in) We'll be getting started in just a few minutes, as soon as the recording comes on.

Hello and welcome; this is David buck and it's the 3-step coaching module call on sources of energy. We're going to be talking about the 3-step module for designing your sources of energy, and we'll be talking about this for the first 15-20 minutes, and we'll have the rest of you join in with us after that.

The first step is to become aware of sources of energy, and we're talking about different types of energy - spiritual energy, emotional energy, and so on. Then, step 2 is to reduce the amount of energy you consume. Then finally, we'll talk about step 3, which is finding ways to upgrade the sources of energy you use. First, we just want to talk about sources of energy and give a few examples.

Physical energy - food is obvious, but exercise is also a source. Anther example might be the sun or being out in nature. Another type of energy is mental energy. There are different examples of this; when you're in a creative mode, that can give you energy, or when you learn something new. Another example is emotional energy - this includes drama, conflict, contributing to someone, accomplishing something, or loving someone. Finally, we would talk about spiritual energy and this could come from many sources - surrendering to the oneness of all things, seeing yourself evolving, and so on. That's an overview of understanding the types and sources of energy. Thomas, would you like to add to that?

TJL: Yes. Most of us are used to go to the outside to gain more energy. I think we take energy for granted most times; we rarely think about how we're using it, how much we have, etc. We all have our own versions of internal combustion in our own lives, and we're still on that continuum. Once you get your needs met, some of the energy you used to consume is no longer needed, and that is the 2nd step, identify ways to reduce your consumption of energy. Maybe you're in a lifestyle that's straining your cash flow, maybe you're over-promising, and those things really consume energy. As soon as you clean those up, you'll just naturally have more energy. First, though, identifying ways to consume less energy - Susan, what's something you've done?

Susan: The biggest thing for me is to simplify my environment. I used to have to have a lot of stuff going on at one time.

TJL: And business and productivity aren't necessarily the same.

Susan: Exactly.

TJL: Thanks! Dave, do you want to continue with this or go on to the next step?

DB: I'd like to stick with this for just another moment. Step 2 is an interesting idea - we don't often think about energy in this way. What we're talking about here is taking a broader perspective on energy; then, taking a look at the energy we consume and find places to reduce that consumption. There are a lot of little things in life that go into this big energy pie.

TJL: Wow - is that calorie free? (laugh)

DB: Yes it is! The idea of really thinking about your energy in a broader way is key. What are some of the benefits of looking at this in a broader way? We'll look at that in a moment.

TJL: It's important to be aware of all the things around you, and how your actions affect your environments. The more you take on in life, the higher quality energy you have to acquire to sustain that.

DB: And we're not saying you have to slow down to do this - by reducing the quantity of energy you consume, you'll become even more productive.

TJL: In step 2, you remove some of the drains of energy, and you can use that extra energy to start upgrading the quality of energy and you're going to run like a 747 rather than a DC-3. In terms of the plane analogy, we just want to live up where the 747s are, rather than down at the DC-3 level.

DB: Then, the 3rd step is finding ways to upgrade the quality of energy you use. Thomas, what are some examples of what you've seen?

TJL: I've found that there are certain people I spend more time with because they make me feel a particular way. Normally I was too busy for them, I realized hanging around them gave me energy and got me excited! If you're going to zap me with energy, I just can't handle that.

DB: I think another example is that we've been around people that seem to get energy from conflicts. If you know someone like that, while you can get a lot of energy from conflicts, it also takes a high price. While caffeine might give you a lift, there's a cost associated with becoming addicted to that chemical.

TJL: Yes, it might get you to 2,000 feet but it won't get you to 40,000 feet. Really, you need to find things that inspire you - it might be a project or a cause, an invention of some sort, and so on, rather than drawing energy from conflicts. My basic premise is that we do what we do because we have nothing better to do.

DB: There's nothing bigger calling to them!

TJL: Exactly. As the person evolves, they find things more compelling. If you find yourself getting inspired, you'll find that it's also generally a cleaner source of energy. Give yourself some time to transition from the old way of getting energy to the new way of getting energy.

Great; we'll end the first part of the session here, and allow the groups to begin working n their own.

(moment of silence)

TJL: We're still recording, and this section will be mostly listened to by the study group hosts. This is your chance to ask a question, get some feedback about a client, or share a comment.

Michael:
I have 2 questions - could you define "energy" and "consume energy"?

TJL: I wish I could; it's above me. We're using this as a simple way of describing the concept.

DB: It might actually bring up the idea; if you have questions about the whole idea, we could tease some of these things out if you think that might be useful.

TJL: Do you have some ideas, Michael?

Michael:
Well, energy drain seems like it's something that makes you less and less energized, where if it's a quality source of energy, it's probably not draining.

Sonny: I'm just thinking about clues anybody might have about becoming more aware about observing the energy through the day or the week. I just wonder about any clues to increase my awareness.

TJL: That's great, Dave - it's a new product!

DB: I think a lot of it is if you look at the type of energy. I think we can all relate to the feeling of being physically drained or mentally drained. Other times, things are perfectly clear and you can understand them easily, and so on. If you look at these different distinctions of energy, you can know how you feel when you have energy flowing in all those areas versus when you don't.

TJL: One way is to sensitize oneself - when you do that, one feels the changes in energy sooner, and will protect oneself from such a loss. Your body has been sensitized to take charge. By becoming sensitized to things that numb you, opens you up to having more awareness so you can identify things sooner or better.

Barbara:
I find that I can gauge my energy by what I'm saying; if I'm blaming or getting defensive, I find it's usually something to do with my energy level.

Michael:
Energy is that which allows work to get done, and if we identify work as creating outcomes or doing stuff, then it's basically looking at the quality of a moment's experience and whether or not you're getting joy from an experience. You can look at it on a moment by moment level just by looking by the outcomes of the experience.

TJL: Good point; you can actually look at what's occurring in your life. My friend Dean Jackson just bought a Porsche which was his lifelong dream; he realized that he consumed way more energy just by stewing about it, and lost revenue by spending time stewing about it. if things aren't flowing naturally and easily, then maybe it's a symptom that the energy isn't the right grade for you.

XXX: I find that I need to take time out every now and then to recharge.

Jan: I find this topic interesting. I don't know if this fits here, but I find that when I'm really pressed and working hard, sometimes I'll get to the point where it's really, really tough but when I get a good night's sleep, I'll get all these great insights!

Mike: I have to deal with a couple of sleep disorders and one of the easy ways to get more energy is t make sure that you get more sleep, and the more sleep you get, the more easy it is to be productive during your waking hours!

TJL: So there seems to be a built-in restorative process, whether it's taking a break or getting more sleep, or whatever.

Michael:
Essentially what consumes energy is friction, so maybe we should look at the frictions in our life.

Barbara:
I think you should write a little article on your ideas because you've got some good ones!

Michael:
I'm thinking if I'm coaching someone around energy, what processes can I create?

TJL: The way we're looking at it is that there's at least 20 things that would help reduce the energy lost….

Michael:
Have you created a checklist of the 50 most common energy drains?

TJL: We're working on it and will include it with the workbook.

XXX: I have a couple of thoughts; we are the energy meter, and in the process of upgrading, it occurs to me that it's not always even across the board. When I was in transition, I was feeling low, but I was accomplishing the things that I needed to. There's sort of an uneven in the process that you might feel more mentally energetic than physically energetic. The other thing that occurs to me is that we evolve as we upgrade our energy. You just don't keep upgrading your refrigerator, but you go out and get a new refrigerator.

DB: Great! Anybody else want to contribute to this?

Sonny: I noticed about the 4 sources of energy that they're synergistic in both directions and each one feeds the other.

DB: Exactly!

TJL: Great; anyone else?

Sonny: It almost sounds like there's a counterbalance between eliminating energy drains and finding energy resources. Like you give up something to get more energy. I don't know why I'm drawn to this idea, but I'm more interested right now in the sources rather than the drains. I just wonder, do you have in your materials anywhere, a list of possibilities for us to test out?

DB: You mean sources of inspiration?

TJL: I think when a person begins to plug the holes, a person gets a burst of energy. That being said, if you find something really exciting to work on, you may not want to take time to fix the drain. I find that I'm just naturally inspired every day; I'm just in an inspiring environment, and I rely on that to inspire me.

XXX: I don't know how this is related to a perfect life, but I get the sense that there's something related between this topic and a perfect life!

TJL: They're all interrelated!

XXX: One thing coming up for me is that we all get energy blocks and it's something we all have to work through.

TJL: That's generally true for everybody.

XXX: Another thing I find that's true is that you need to be open to all of this - the listening, the energy, etc.

TJL: Yes - it's easier to be pulled forward by inspiration. Anyone else?

Michael:
I think some energy sources have built in positive and negative sources. An example is, invoking a deadline or using anger to propel you forward. Maybe the quality of energy can be measured by having less negative aspects.

TJL: And that's a sign of feeling as well as evolution; great point, Michael. We have time for one more.

Heidi: I've noticed that it's easy to absorb someone else's energy if you're not careful.

TJL: So put yourself in an environment that's what you want it to be, and it'll rub off on you?

Heidi: Yes; all I've got to do is be there!

TJL: Dave, any final comments for you?

DB: Just to remind everyone about the 3-step module for identifying and improving sources of energy.

TJL: Yes, the purpose of this call is just to become aware of it. Susan, anything for you?

Susan: The biggest thing I'm taking away is that inspiration is the cleanest form of energy and that's great!

TJL: Thank you all for being on the call!