I get asked: “Did you drink a lot of coffee today?”
Or, and a bit more positively “How do you have so much energy?”
Admittedly some of my energy may be caffeine, personality style, childhood trauma, or plain old anxiety.
But I like to think that I and we get our best energy, bounce, and enthusiasm through three key activities.
They are:
1. The Personal Factor: (investing in our self spirit soul and body)
- Giving of self in service to others and/or a cause
- Good life skills: decision making, assertiveness, impulse control, problem solving
- Sociability; ability to be a friend; ability to form positive relationships
- Sense of humor
- Internal focus of control
- Autonomy/independence
- Positive view of one’s personal future
- Flexibility
- Capacity and desire for learning
- Self-motivation
- Personal competence
- Feelings of self-worth and self-confidence
2. The Group Factor: (finding or founding a positive group with the following practices)
- Promotes close bonds among team members
- Values and encourages learning
- Uses high warmth/low criticism
- Exercises clear boundaries and norms
- Encourages supportive relationships
- Promotes shared responsibilities and service
- Provides access to helpful resources
- Expresses high, but realistic, expectations
- Encourages goal setting and mastery
- Encourages positive social values
- Encourages life skills such as leadership, cooperation, and flexibility
- Provides opportunities for meaningful participation
- Appreciates the unique talents and worth of each individual
3. The Friendship Factor: (connecting another individual using the following guidelines)
- Give encouragement, provide support,
- Show acceptance of who you are, appreciate you
- Give helpful criticism only when asked
- Reciprocate Share experiences and feelings
- Challenge you to do your best
- Adept at both empathy and listening skills