It is simple to say energy is all you need, but I think a little too convenient.
For example, you don't need energy to exercise - you can do it even when fatigued (which is what I did recently and immediately became ill but I have gotten away with it before!)
You don't need energy to go to work - you can feel drained and still turn up.
And even people who say "I have no energy" actually *do* have energy, because they're still alive and talking.
I think energy is more of an enabler. Yes, you can do things without much energy, but you're more likely to do them and do them well if you feel energetic than not.
And life is better when you do have more energy, but it doesn't solve all your problems. It does, however, give you a greater chance of being able to solve them than if you are depleted.
There is also the challenge of misdirected energy - you may be full of energy, but what are you spending it on, and is it the right thing?
Then there is "healthy energy" (such as generated from eating good food, having good sleep) and then artificial or "counterproductive energy" (my name for it) coming from things like red bull or even being nervous, stressed or anxious.
Great insights mate and I’m starting to look at energy as a spectrum/sliding scale. Not a binary thing of have or have not.
Agree energy doesn’t solve all problems, but think people can’t solve problems with out it. And like you said, many people do have the energy to deal with stuff, but it’s getting misdirected/wasted on frivolous things.
Been thinking how to best describe that short term energy (being manic or hyped up on caffeine, sugar, drugs etc) and I like how you phrase it as counterproductive. Because that’s what it is. That state is unsustainable and not gonna get you to where you want to go.
I think social media has some positives, doom scrolling is numbing/self soothing but the sharing and connecting aspect of it is great. it really comes down to the intent when you open the open and the intent of the post. Why do people post what they do? My observation is, a lot of people post for validation from others. I like taking photos and sharing pictures, but there are definitely times I know I've shared something to story or to my feed because I wanted someone to like or or to see it.
Nice angle. It is the most important thing in my life and it took me 50 years yo work that out. Well done for getting it so young. It’s the 80/20 approach. 20% of the things you focus on will give you 80% of the uplift. Energy management and recognition is definitely that. I don’t see it as a 100% as that is so absolute.
However in the business world it is the key asset that doesn’t appear on the balance sheet. You sense it in a team during when walking across the training ground on a Tuesday in July and also the lack of it. Our valiant Wallabies cant seem to manage it for 80 but the AB’s can.
Thanks Joe and I think your spot on. Prioritising energy is the 20% of effort that gets 80% of the results, not 100%. There is more too it. But feel people hate when something their struggling with is described so simply, and unnecessarily over complicated things.
I agree with most of this, but not mental health and trauma. These are a lot more complex, for good reason. Yes, energy is a part of it, but as someone who is still dealing with both of these long term - I can guarantee you energy is not the issue, nor the solution.
Like most illnesses, if I sleep well, I eat well, and I exercise, then I can reduce the severity i.e. I can treat the symptoms or reduce the likelihood of severe illness. However, if I’m not addressing the root cause, I’m not helping myself. Energy and movement are part of a solution, but not the whole solution for most people because not everyone is the same. I can’t energise myself enough to solve the fact that I had an abusive father, or that I was raped as a teenager. I need ongoing therapy to address these traumas. I also have long-term medication (11 yrs) to help alleviate anxiety and stress. I’m a very active person, but that medication helps me to live a relatively normal life. My medication is like a wetsuit; I’m the one doing all the swimming, but it gives a little buoyancy and assists me to keep swimming.
Trauma is incredibly complex, I think energy can help with regulation and dealing with the flash backs associated with trauma but it won't get rid of him. If you're low on energy then you nervous system will likely be more prone to dysregulation.
Please help me understand why it’s so complex. And just because I describe something in simple terms, doesn’t in anyway mean that dealing with it is easy. Quite the opposite.
I'm still learning about it myself but the unpredictable nature of it makes it hard. The brain stores a lot in memory that we think we have forgotten. But the limbic system has no concept of time so when someone is triggered the experience is exactly as the event is happening to them right in that moment. It doesn't know that the event happened 5, 10 or 20 years ago.
The follow on effects of trauma are also what make it complex. It has been linked to autoimmune disease, trauma survivors are often constantly in fight mode which results in a hyperactive immune system, auto immune disease is when the immune system attacks itself.
Trauma is the leading cause of disease/illness and the awful thing is a lot of it is preventable (assault, sexual abuse, maltreatment in childhood).
Hey Leon. I’m the same and why I’m a bit obsessive with sleep tracking. I slept like a baby when I was depressed, and while it didn’t fix thing’s immediately, it was a great starting point for turning things around. I used meds too for about 8 weeks, but I don’t know what I would of done if I wasn’t sleep during that time.
Below are my rambling thoughts for you.
It is simple to say energy is all you need, but I think a little too convenient.
For example, you don't need energy to exercise - you can do it even when fatigued (which is what I did recently and immediately became ill but I have gotten away with it before!)
You don't need energy to go to work - you can feel drained and still turn up.
And even people who say "I have no energy" actually *do* have energy, because they're still alive and talking.
I think energy is more of an enabler. Yes, you can do things without much energy, but you're more likely to do them and do them well if you feel energetic than not.
And life is better when you do have more energy, but it doesn't solve all your problems. It does, however, give you a greater chance of being able to solve them than if you are depleted.
There is also the challenge of misdirected energy - you may be full of energy, but what are you spending it on, and is it the right thing?
Then there is "healthy energy" (such as generated from eating good food, having good sleep) and then artificial or "counterproductive energy" (my name for it) coming from things like red bull or even being nervous, stressed or anxious.
Do with these thoughts what you will :)
Great insights mate and I’m starting to look at energy as a spectrum/sliding scale. Not a binary thing of have or have not.
Agree energy doesn’t solve all problems, but think people can’t solve problems with out it. And like you said, many people do have the energy to deal with stuff, but it’s getting misdirected/wasted on frivolous things.
Been thinking how to best describe that short term energy (being manic or hyped up on caffeine, sugar, drugs etc) and I like how you phrase it as counterproductive. Because that’s what it is. That state is unsustainable and not gonna get you to where you want to go.
Yeah either counterproductive or perhaps "unsustainable"
I think social media has some positives, doom scrolling is numbing/self soothing but the sharing and connecting aspect of it is great. it really comes down to the intent when you open the open and the intent of the post. Why do people post what they do? My observation is, a lot of people post for validation from others. I like taking photos and sharing pictures, but there are definitely times I know I've shared something to story or to my feed because I wanted someone to like or or to see it.
Agreed. Just like alcohol. Gotta be careful to find balance and never use it to numb pain.
Gday Ben
Nice angle. It is the most important thing in my life and it took me 50 years yo work that out. Well done for getting it so young. It’s the 80/20 approach. 20% of the things you focus on will give you 80% of the uplift. Energy management and recognition is definitely that. I don’t see it as a 100% as that is so absolute.
However in the business world it is the key asset that doesn’t appear on the balance sheet. You sense it in a team during when walking across the training ground on a Tuesday in July and also the lack of it. Our valiant Wallabies cant seem to manage it for 80 but the AB’s can.
Looking forward to more insights. Cheers Joe
Thanks Joe and I think your spot on. Prioritising energy is the 20% of effort that gets 80% of the results, not 100%. There is more too it. But feel people hate when something their struggling with is described so simply, and unnecessarily over complicated things.
Go Wallabies!
I saw a quote that said the opposite to depression was vitality. This is aligned to what you are saying about energy.
I agree with most of this, but not mental health and trauma. These are a lot more complex, for good reason. Yes, energy is a part of it, but as someone who is still dealing with both of these long term - I can guarantee you energy is not the issue, nor the solution.
Can you please help me understand why you think more energy isn’t the solution?
Like most illnesses, if I sleep well, I eat well, and I exercise, then I can reduce the severity i.e. I can treat the symptoms or reduce the likelihood of severe illness. However, if I’m not addressing the root cause, I’m not helping myself. Energy and movement are part of a solution, but not the whole solution for most people because not everyone is the same. I can’t energise myself enough to solve the fact that I had an abusive father, or that I was raped as a teenager. I need ongoing therapy to address these traumas. I also have long-term medication (11 yrs) to help alleviate anxiety and stress. I’m a very active person, but that medication helps me to live a relatively normal life. My medication is like a wetsuit; I’m the one doing all the swimming, but it gives a little buoyancy and assists me to keep swimming.
This is very brave and I’m gonna reply privately. Think we are on the same page.
This episode explains trauma and triggers really well https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wHQONCp5DZUS3EpVBCGx1?si=c8d22108d9bb445e
Trauma is incredibly complex, I think energy can help with regulation and dealing with the flash backs associated with trauma but it won't get rid of him. If you're low on energy then you nervous system will likely be more prone to dysregulation.
them not him but hey the trauma can be him too haha
Please help me understand why it’s so complex. And just because I describe something in simple terms, doesn’t in anyway mean that dealing with it is easy. Quite the opposite.
I'm still learning about it myself but the unpredictable nature of it makes it hard. The brain stores a lot in memory that we think we have forgotten. But the limbic system has no concept of time so when someone is triggered the experience is exactly as the event is happening to them right in that moment. It doesn't know that the event happened 5, 10 or 20 years ago.
The follow on effects of trauma are also what make it complex. It has been linked to autoimmune disease, trauma survivors are often constantly in fight mode which results in a hyperactive immune system, auto immune disease is when the immune system attacks itself.
Trauma is the leading cause of disease/illness and the awful thing is a lot of it is preventable (assault, sexual abuse, maltreatment in childhood).
Hey Leon. I’m the same and why I’m a bit obsessive with sleep tracking. I slept like a baby when I was depressed, and while it didn’t fix thing’s immediately, it was a great starting point for turning things around. I used meds too for about 8 weeks, but I don’t know what I would of done if I wasn’t sleep during that time.