In this “Listener Question of the Week” episode, James and Phoebe explore ways you can manage your energy, and why it’s so important to do this!
Everyone, at some level, is asking how to manage his or her energy. “Energy Vampires” can often throw off your whole day, or perhaps your whole week.
James explains that social media has made it easier for people to find you in multiple ways.
“In a world of instant gratification, we want to be served immediately”
Introverts and extroverts are very different in the way that they get their energy. Phoebe is an extrovert, and when she moved to her new hometown of San Francisco, she joined a soccer team and hosted social events to help her feel at home. James is an introvert; this doesn’t mean he is shy, but his focus is not on getting his energy from other people.
“Extroverts have a lot of friends, introverts have a lot of ideas”
There are a few powerful energetic exercises that he does to protect himself from other people’s energy. In the “cord-cutting exercise”, he closes his eyes while visualizing the person and a cord attaching himself to him or her. He physically moves his arm, while making a noise, to “cut” the cord. In another exercise, he imagines himself in a protective gold egg, or sphere, which deflects anything coming to him.
“You have to protect your energy”
3 things we can do to effectively manage our energy
1) Create a commitment with boundaries
When James coaches a person one-on-one, he sets the boundaries first and is clear that he isn’t doing the graphics, webinars or similar tasks for the person.
“You are robbing them of the experience of them getting to discover what it really takes to do it themselves. It really is all them.”
2) Find those people who do light you up
These people should be coachable, big action takers and full of gratitude and acknowledgment. They will provide you with the motivation to keep going.
“When they do the work, you realize you had an impact in someone else’s life”
If you don’t have a feedback mechanism in place, you don’t have an essential element of any offer.
3) Do something to recharge your energy
Creators naturally put out a lot of energy with their content, systems and strategies. You should celebrate your accomplishments, and take a few days off. James tries to stay under 36 hours of work in any week.
“It’s not about working longer. This is why the whole hustle thing is B.S.”
Morning routines are absolutely critical for your personal energy. If you don’t have the time for a morning routine, that’s why you need one.
Some examples of activities that could recharge your energy are napping, reading books, listening to podcasts or going to the beach. Everyone is different, and the important thing is that you find out what inspires you.
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