Optimal Performance and the Secrets of Harnessing Personal Energy

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Here at the-Coaching Blog-run by Gerard O’Donovan, our aim is to constantly bring value to those seeking to improve their lives. Therefore we have a policy of publishing articles and materials by guest authors whom we value and appreciate. Today’s guest author is Stuart Haden (United Kingdom).
The need for energy
Have you ever been coaching someone who had the following challenges?
Unable to relax, lack of physical drive, build up of resentment, narrow-minded or searching for direction. Well, maybe not these challenges exactly, but I am sure you and your coachee can resonate with the demands of modern day life and not having enough time in the day, or energy in the tank. Perhaps they have resisted identifying with these challenges, so let me ask you another question. Do they ever reach for the following – coffee, chocolate or energy drinks?
The list goes on. Of course, we have all found ourselves reaching for a short-term energy kick, the question is how often does your coachee find themselves in this place?
Over the last few months, I have been busy designing and recording online courses. This medium is in my view really going to take off as a learning platform, so I was really keen to include a module on how we can harness personal energy. Having already explored narrative coaching in an earlier module I designed this module with the coach (and leader) in mind so that they can work with others to improve their energy sources, and therefore reduce their need to reach out. Calories and money saved, vitality and well being boosted. Here are some questions for your coachee, do they need to…

• Harness energy by tapping into their energy sources to increase vitality?
• Put fuel in their tank?
• Develop physical resilience to continuously evolve during turbulent times?
• Tap into emotions that increase the level of motivation for what they do?
• Broaden their mind to new possibilities and goals?

If you are not already convinced if I said to you – by participating in this programme your coachee’s can increase their energy by 25%. Would they sign up to work with you? Well with some simple energy hacks that I will reveal shortly, I believe this is possible.
The other thing to note is that many of these hacks are increasingly being applied in society today. The old world of hierarchy (blocking energy) and jobs for life (channeled energy) are quickly becoming a thing of the past. This not only gives us more opportunities to harness personal energy, it makes it vital for our survival. The new world now encourages – choice, authenticity, play, and freedom.
Brendon Burchard has written a great book called The Charge, describing 10 human drives that make people feel alive. Preferring Charged people to Caged people he reminds me to point out some of the most common mistakes our coachees might experience. People are often found wanting in this area because they are putting goals before energy – moving too quickly, disregard for physical needs, letting things build up, tunnel vision and ignoring purpose.
The source of energy
Let’s take a look at the source of energy, how we can find it, its framework and effective techniques such as being present and free from the ego. The source of energy is hidden within society, but the examples to follow should allow it to surface. A quick delve into quantum physics and history should complete this journey.
Your coachee will only find the source if they…

• Surrender – Eckhart Tolle gives the wonderful example of being in prison. If you are in prison you have to surrender. You have three options: to see out your time, to get parole or escape. Either way, you have to surrender, neither option is possible unless you show vulnerability.
• Conformity – step out of conformity and be authentic, or as Richard Bach describes in Jonathan Livingston Seagull, “You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that is not flying at a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn’t have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.”
• Presence – visually your coachee’s energy should resemble the typical bell-shaped curve. The past and future sit either side of the middle, with the presence at the center.
• Egoless – if your coachee’s ego is active then they are probably paying too much attention to what they want rather than what they need. Equally one might stick to their preferences without adapting to meet the priorities around them.
• Attraction – some people argue that we get what we wish for, the law of attraction. Wayne Dyer goes some way to up the ante by stating, “You do not attract what you want. You attract what you are.” Either way, an attraction is key.

Putting fuel in your tank
This is one of the key modules in the online course, where I describe energy using the 5 energy sources: soul – body – heart – mind – spirit. The energy mapping hack to follow is a great new habit for coachee’s to develop so that they can access the source and increase energy.
As my mentor, Jazz Rasool would say – it’s time to get your five a day. Fruits and vegetables creating a great metaphor for overall well-being. Simply put – your coachee needs to engage in daily activities that tap into all 5 energy sources. Preferably a conscious list that increases their energy levels, vitality, and presence. Map out their day, map out their energy. Play to their strengths at first, but watch out for blind spots and shortcuts. 10 spaces on a map, but one which they must populate.
To get them started asking them to consider what tomorrow looks like for them. Now help them to plan what they will do (or not do) for themselves under all 5 energy sources. Something that brings energy into their system. Their priority here is themselves. Nothing wrong with being selfish here, if they don’t look after number one then they can’t look after others.
Their activities might, of course, involve others, as long as the coachee is still the priority. On the whole, they need to be solitary. Don’t worry too much about which ‘box’ the activity resides in, many activities could be associated with all sources. As long as they are considering the 5 sources and being deliberate in their actions.
As a coach watch for well-formed habits, this is the old paradigm. The new paradigm requires intentional newness. Nothing radical, just a point of difference from previous ventures. So picking up some free weights for the first time in a frequented gym does count. Doing the same old routine might not. The old paradigm is still of enormous value as it forms the bedrock from which they can build. In with the new and in with the old.
The aim is to achieve harmony between tasks for themselves and tasks for others. Too much energy in = stagnation. Too much energy out = flushing. Coaching them to agree what they can do and what they should avoid – do or do not. Do – I will leave work on time. Do not – I will not be late home. When they are ready encourage them to map out activities that have someone else as the priority. They might be doing something for this person or with this person.
Support, challenge, and the question around each of the 5 sources…

1. Soul – this is where they feel most grounded and centered. Relaxed and at ease. Away from the busyness, they are recharging their batteries, plugging in and connecting. Being with their soul mate maybe, laughter, fun, and vitality. Aware of their own values, exploring their authentic self. Deep presence in their current state, an egoless state. Clarity and freedom descend as their mind and body wander.
2. Body – their primordial needs relating to their physicality and environment. The roof above their head, careers, physicality, and security. Health and wealth combining. Sporting practice or hobby enthusiasts engaged in skills development. Sleeping, eating or intimate physical contact. Wellbeing and being well. Stretching their legs.
3. Heart-tugging at their heartstrings, fear which can stop them loving. Pride in the name of love. Esteem that has no name. Relationships, emotions, social interactions and confidence. The bonds they make, and those they break. Compassion, trust, and empathy. Intuition maybe.
4. Mind – the school of thought that builds their knowledge. Allowing them to study, research, reflect, learn, read and write. A worldview, planned, organized, intellect. Letters after their name, analyzed, assessed, certified sense. How they you know what they know? Logic pervades.
5. Spirit – connections, meaning, morals and innovation. Harmony and true self, up above or down below. Morals and moods, defining their attitude. A sometimes volatile extraction of their intentions. They enter into it, a world maybe. Belief, religion, nature, creativity, actualization, it’s sacred. Our breath.

About Stuart Haden
Stuart Haden is a facilitator, coach, and author. Valuing authenticity, coachability and personal energy he works with individuals, teams, and organizations so that they can develop optimal performance and be up to 500% more effective. His online courses are available at www.stormbeach.co.uk
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