Know Yourself: Discover and Harness Your Natural Energy

"The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world."
- Toni Collette

Introduction:

When we’re focused on constant activity and productivity, it's easy to lose touch with who we really are. You might think you know yourself well, but are you truly making the most of your unique energy?

Many of my clients have discovered that, despite their best efforts, they are not as in tune with their own rhythms as they could be, leading to feelings of exhaustion and underachievement.

Understanding and Using Your Natural Energy

When you understand your natural energy patterns and work with them, rather than against them, life becomes not only easier but also more fulfilling. Imagine feeling more energized, accomplishing more with less effort, and enjoying life more profoundly. This is not just a possibility; it will be your reality when you align with your natural energy flows.

Here are a few ways to tap into your natural energy flow by developing a better understanding of yourself:

Discovering Your Energy Highs and Lows

• Identify when your energy is highest and lowest. Are you a morning person, or do you find you are more active at night? Transform your day by scheduling demanding tasks during your peak energy times and save lower energy tasks for when you naturally wind down. For example, most people like to exercise in the morning – I prefer late afternoon or early evening, as that works best for me.

• Adapt to your energy dips. If you notice a significant drop in energy at a certain time of day, why not use that time to rest and rejuvenate? For example, I wake up early but need time for my energy to gradually build – so I know that early morning meetings are not for me. When you go with the natural flows of your energy and use them in this way life is so much easier and less stressful. Stop forcing yourself to do things when you don’t have the energy for them. It’s too stressful.

• Reflective Questions: What is my natural energy flow? When is my energy highest and lowest?

Leveraging Your Innate Strengths

• Focus on your gifts and talents. Engaging in activities that play to your strengths naturally boosts your energy. If there are tasks that drain you or you simply don't enjoy, consider outsourcing them or at least asking for help with them. This allows you to focus on what you do best and enjoy most.
  
  For example, I don’t enjoy working with numbers, so I ensure that I have a bookkeeper to take care of the books for my business. I COULD do it, but it would take me much longer and would not be at all enjoyable. This leaves me much more time to put my energy into what I know I’m good at.

• Reflective Questions: What are your unique gifts, skills and talents? What do you hate to do that you could pass on or ask for help with?

Reconnecting with Your Passions

• Rediscover what excites you. Often, people lose touch with their passions, which are essential for maintaining enthusiasm and energy. Whether it's music, art, or dance, make time for what lights you up, even if it's outside your professional life.
  
  One of my clients felt unhappy and guilty for feeling that way, since she had so much in her life she was grateful for. She was passionate about dance but gave it up when she started a family. She was able to reignite her joy for life by regularly integrating dance into her life again.

• Reflective Questions: What are you passionate about? What lights you up, and are you incorporating that into your daily life?

Aligning Activities with Your Values

• Assess how your activities serve you. It’s crucial to spend your energy on things that align with your values and contribute positively to your life. This might mean learning to say no to tasks that don't serve you and yes to those that do, helping you avoid burnout and dissatisfaction.
  
  It’s so easy to get caught up in things that aren’t in your best interests, whether it’s because they are familiar, and you’ve done them for a long time, or because you’re letting other people’s expectations control what you do and how you do it.

• Reflective Questions: What are you putting your time and energy into, and how does it serve you?

Self-Care as a Priority

• Take good care of yourself. Your well-being depends on balancing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Incorporate activities that nourish all aspects of your being, from eating healthily and staying active to engaging socially and taking time for relaxation and fun.
  
  So often people struggle with this, and often it’s because they think they don’t have the time, they don’t know how to take care of themselves, or they feel selfish. Taking care of yourself first means you not only feel better, but you have more to give others.

• Reflective Questions: How do you take care of yourself now? What can you do each day to ensure that self-care is a priority for you?

Listening to Your Body

• Pay attention to your body’s signals. Your body communicates constantly through signs like fatigue, discomfort, or stress. Listen to these signals and respond thoughtfully, because ignoring them will lead to more significant health issues down the line.
  
  If you feel uncomfortable or anxious about something, your body is sending a message. If you pause and tune into the feeling, you will understand what it is telling you – perhaps that you need to avoid a certain person or situation or that you need to work on some limiting beliefs or fears that are holding you back.

• Reflective Questions: How often do you truly pay attention to the signals your body is sending you? Do you have feelings or emotions right now that are telling you something needs to change?

Evaluating Your Environment

• Consider the impact of your surroundings. Your environment significantly affects your mood and energy levels. A cluttered, uninspiring space will drain your energy, while a vibrant, organized environment can enhance your well-being and productivity, and a calm space will help you relax.
  
  Clients are often amazed when they experience the positive shifts that happen naturally when they align the energy in their home and/or workspace. These spaces will support you if you let them.

• Reflective Questions: How is your home environment affecting you? Does your workspace inspire you? Do you feel creative, successful and focused in your there?

Embracing Your Natural Energy Flow

Ultimately, knowing yourself isn’t about pushing harder, but about aligning more closely with your inherent nature. This alignment leads to a more satisfying and less stressful life. It means slowing down and really paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, and the link between how you feel and your current life experiences.

The Process of Self-Discovery

If you tend to prioritize others over yourself, learning to focus on your needs might feel challenging at first. However, it's a worthwhile process that will significantly enhance your quality of life.

By asking yourself these reflective questions and honestly addressing the answers, you will be on a path of self-discovery that not only benefits you but also those around you. As you learn to work with your energy rather than against it, you'll find that things begin to flow more smoothly, your stress levels decrease, and you start living your best life.

Why continue struggling when you could be thriving? Knowing yourself is the first step towards a life of fulfillment and success. Embrace this journey and watch how it transforms not just your days but your entire existence.

I guide you to clarity, breakthroughs and practical solutions that lead to the positive change you want. Real solutions, real results. Start with a free Personal Energy Assessment, and see what's possible for you.