Yesterday I was presenting to the Business Development Forum at the Hunter Business Chamber about "Keeping the Energy High in your Business". Brilliant topic - thank you HBC - lots of fun! Something I touched on briefly was one critical reason for low energy - the pattern of "self-sabotage"!
Strangely enough, we run two "selves". First, there is the conscious "logical" self (which we often think of as our only or "true" self), which might be setting goals and taking on tasks like there's no tomorrow. Next there is the unconscious mind underneath, which is looking on and running its own priorities. One of its prime "drivers" is protection, so if we have a plan to flog ourselves to death, it's the bit that comes in and pulls the plug on the plan!
It does this by sapping out our energy, redirecting us to avoidance activities, making us distractible, getting us eating sugar and watching junk TV or surfing the net - or whatever it is for you! So much easier if it was just able to say "I think that plan is unreasonable. Give us a break!" Maybe, in it's own way, it is! Learning to listen to that voice is a crucial part of getting in "the flow", where energy comes easily to help us reach our goals and priorities.
The most energising level of challenge is just beyond our current reach.
If you think you've been running self-sabotage, try this. Pick a very realistic set of goals for your day, based on past experience, then "up" it one notch to something you'd love to get done as well, but you know it's a stretch! (Don't focus on everything that "should" be on your list but isn't! If you're self-sabotaging, it wouldn't have happened anyway!)
Pick a definite point at which you will stop - including taking breaks! (This can be tough but it's a crucial part of regaining the trust of your poor old undervalued unconscious mind.)
Then, imagine yourself hitting the button that says "GO". Feel the energy start to flow. Be determined to feel great about what you DO achieve - in this time slot and in this day. Notice how different it feels when you are taking account of both parts of your self in setting your goals!
At the end of the day, check your productivity against days when you didn't do it this way. Adjust as necessary, if you still over-stretched, or worked less efficiently than you might have. Make a choice for the future.
Neither of our "selves" could function without the other. Help them get along, and life can be happy AND productive.
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