“Any problem, big or small…always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening.” Emma Thompson
Continuing the ongoing theme of how to sustain our energy levels, we move from the emotional/spiritual component (connecting to purpose) and the physiological (deep breathing) to the mental/interactive: communication.
It’s estimated that 80% of all mistakes, miscues, malfunctions in the workplace, call them what you want, are due to sloppy communication. When this issue goes unaddressed and is allowed to fester in the form of unresolved conflict, most everyone’s energy level sags and productivity starts to plummet. Withheld communication, whether in the form of suppressed opinions or feelings, become a concrete albatross to the goals and objectives shared within an organization.
Last week I wrote about sustaining energy and the forgotten factor (deep breathing), addressing the energy shortage in people on a physiological level. Today I want to contribute an emotional/spiritual component to the issue.
For many, it may be re-connecting to purpose; for some, creating a new purpose, but seriously ask yourself: “What do I live for?” The answer should candidly distill down to a passionate feeling or quality of living, e.g. “I live for joy,” “I live to nurture my family,” “I live for peace of mind.” Mine is, “I live for adventure.” It doesn’t mean that I run with the bulls or wrestle alligators. I live for adventure, not insanity! It means that I try to find the adventure in most everything that I do. For something as mundane as going to the market, I’m not going just to shop. I preset an intention to talk with or meet somebody on the line at the checkout stand, or elicit a new way to prepare fish from the person behind the fish counter, or learn about a new product. Building my life around that sense of adventure really simplifies things in terms of creating goals and objectives, like feeding off an oxygen tank.
Energy is the engine that drives you to do whatever it is you do, personally or professionally. Without it, any purpose to living goes unfulfilled and nothing gets done. The engine requires quality fuel to power it, such as positive motivation, pure water, healthy foods, and regular exercise. The forgotten factor is often ignored because we do it automatically, without planning or any thought whatsoever. Yet, it is the ultimate life force…breathing.
“…but a broken spirit drieth the bone.” – Proverb 17:22
“WIPE THAT STUPID GRIN OFF YOUR FACE!” How many of us ever heard that during our formative years? The message from our families comes through like a somber TV commercial: “And now, a word from our sponsors. Having fun is a serious offense, punishable by solitary confinement. Don’t think and jive!”
As a child I always felt that adulthood was an unappealing destination, and fiercely resisted attempts by my elders to convert me to solemnity. I felt like I had to put my inner child up for adoption to become an adult. To some extent, we all bought into it. I trust this may serve as a debriefing and help us realize the value of lightening up to improve ourselves on all levels.
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