I’ve been contemplating the idea of energy (and the lack of energy).
Specifically, I’ve been contemplating how we sustain energy for creating something new. Whether it’s a new business, new habit, or even a new identity for ourselves or our work...
Energy: The strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.
Of course, energy is a key ingredient in the creative process—AND for like, LIVING and doing LIFE, itself.
Every day, I give vital energy—to myself (duh), my family, work, friends, techy screens, and social media. I also give energy to my home and living/working spaces. AND to the personal projects that contribute to my health, wealth, and happiness.
And I wonder to myself…
With ALL that giving of energy, how do I keep it going, growing, and flowing?
How will I know how much to give (and for how long?) before I start burning out or stressing out or completely running out of energy and ideas?
How do I know when it’s time to stop doing and start resting?
How do I recover and recharge? How often? How long?
Our answers to these questions are unique to us as individuals. Your answers about your limits and energetic boundaries won’t be the same as mine…
Personally, I do my best work in short, focused bursts. Then, I have to recover so I can refocus and go/do again. Work. Rest. Work. Rest. Work. Rest.
My most efficient use of energy looks a little like the pattern of breathing.
IN (pause)... OUT (pause)…
My energy is impactful and pointed—with a limited duration.
So, when I’m present for a meeting or a project, I’m all in for that (limited) period of time. I’m focused and committed to creating, empowering, and/or supporting. I’ll get in and DO THE THING, and then, I’m done. I’m out. And I need ample time to recover my energy so I can go/do/create again.
Others are able to grind all day and night until they finally collapse into their beds in the wee hours of the night. And they love it. It’s how they’re built. These are the hustlers and energizer bunnies of productivity. And they seem to have a larger daily supply of energy at their disposal.
That’s not at ALL how my own energy works and flows.
I learned that the hard way after a 20+ year corporate career. I tried my best to be a hustler (pretending to be someone I’m not).
I was trying to use my energy in a way that just didn’t work for me, and I burned out—BIG TIME.
Because I know now, that’s not how I’m built to work.
I don’t believe the hustlers have “more” energy than me. Although, they DO seem to have a different pattern for how they use their available energy.
Post-corporate-burnout, it’s taken several years for me to recover. AND to recognize my own natural patterns for doing and creating things.
I’m still learning how to use my available energy every day (or not). I’m definitely still learning where to place my focus. And how to have the most impact with my energy, once I DO finally take creative action.
So, what does that mean for energizing the creative process?
We each have our unique patterns, processes, and roles to play. Does that mean that someone like me needs to partner with a hustler to create something? Maybe. OR maybe I simply need to change my expectations around timing. Maybe it will take someone like me a bit longer, working alone in bursts. Maybe someone like me will need help with ongoing production. And maybe the energized bunnies need people with focused, impactful energy, too. To help them take action, get energy moving for new ideas and old, stuck ideas.
Regardless of our unique patterns & processes, we must recharge our energy. Clearly, our processes (and patterns of creation/recreation) are different. But we ALL (generally) need more rest than we allow.
Consumption (Food. Water. Sunlight. Sleep. Media) = Creation. I didn’t get into this idea here, but it’s something I’ve discovered to be true for my own creative energy/process. Improved quality of the things/ideas that I put in leads to an improved quality of the things/ideas I put out.
Momentum helps. Baby steps and micromovements add-up. I’m learning to stop judging myself. And to stop comparing my creative quality or quantity against others. Especially the hustlers of the world. Comparison doesn’t help build creative energy, it destroys it.