5 Principles for Renewing Your Personal Energy

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn

Renewing your personal energy through purpose, multiple sources, investment, understanding life’s cycles, and managing expectations is key to a fulfilling and balanced life.

As a high-performance coach at Microsoft, I have had the privilege of helping individuals, teams, and leaders renew, recharge, and revitalize their personal energy levels for more than a decade.

Over the years, I’ve seen how important it is to maintain a positive mindset and a healthy balance in all aspects of life.

Personal energy is the fuel that drives us towards our goals, and without it, we can easily become burnt out and demotivated.

In this article, I’ll share with you five essential principles for renewing your personal energy that can help you achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

These principles have helped many others improve their well-being, maintain a positive mindset, and achieve their goals.

#1. Define Your Purpose

Your purpose is what gives you direction and motivation.

It’s essential to focus on what you want your life to be about, what kind of experiences you want to create, and who you want to become.

This will help you to find your drive and purpose, and give you the energy to pursue your goals.

Here are three great questions that can help you find your purpose:

What do I love doing? – This question helps you identify the activities or tasks that bring you joy and fulfillment. By understanding what you love doing, you can find a career or hobby that aligns with your passions and purpose.
What am I good at? – This question helps you identify your strengths and skills. By understanding your strengths, you can find ways to apply them to your work or other areas of your life, which can help you feel more fulfilled and purposeful.
What problem do I want to solve? – This question helps you identify the impact you want to make in the world. By understanding the problems you want to solve, you can find a purpose that aligns with your values and motivates you to take action.

These questions can help you gain clarity on your purpose and direction in life. However, it’s important to remember that finding your purpose is a journey, and it may take time and self-exploration to discover your true purpose.

A great way to frame or say your purpose in one sentence is to focus on the impact you want to make and the values you hold.

Here’s an example:

“My purpose is to use my creativity and passion for innovation to make a positive impact in people’s lives and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.”

Your purpose statement should be clear, concise, and meaningful to you. It should reflect your unique strengths, interests, and values, and inspire you to take action towards achieving your goals.

It’s important to revisit and refine your purpose statement as you grow and evolve, so it continues to align with your personal and professional aspirations.

#2. Utilize Multiple Sources of Energy

To increase your energy, you need to draw from multiple sources, including your mind, body, emotions, and spirit.

This approach creates a synergy that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

By combining these sources, you can improve your overall well-being, maintain a positive mindset, and have the energy to tackle challenges.

In my Personal Energy Model, I identify 7 sources of energy to pay attention to:

Mind
Body
Emotions
Spirit
Relationships
Social
Environment

Here are some simple examples for renewing your personal energy in each of these areas:

Mind:

Practice mindfulness meditation for a few minutes each day to calm your mind and reduce stress.
Read books or articles that inspire you or teach you something new.
Engage in a creative hobby, such as painting or writing, to stimulate your mind and promote relaxation.

Body:

Exercise regularly to improve your physical health and energy levels.
Get enough sleep each night to promote physical and mental rest.
Eat a balanced and nutritious diet to fuel your body and maintain optimal health.

Emotions:

Practice gratitude by writing down three things you’re thankful for each day.
Journal about your thoughts and feelings to process emotions and gain clarity.
Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding.

Spirit:

Engage in a spiritual practice, such as prayer or meditation, to connect with your inner self and find inner peace.
Spend time in nature to connect with something greater than yourself and gain perspective.
Attend religious or spiritual services to feel part of a community and deepen your connection to your faith.

Relationships:

Spend quality time with loved ones to strengthen bonds and feel connected.
Practice active listening to understand others and show empathy.
Express gratitude and appreciation to show others how much they mean to you.

Social:

Join a club or organization that aligns with your interests to meet new people and engage in meaningful activities.
Volunteer for a cause you believe in to give back to your community and feel purposeful.
Attend social events or gatherings to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your social circle.

Environment:

Declutter your space to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.
Bring nature into your home or workspace, such as by adding plants or natural light.
Create a comfortable and inviting environment that supports your productivity and well-being.

#3. Invest in Your Energy

To create more energy, you must spend the right kind of energy. This includes focusing on positive thoughts, spending more time on your strengths, and challenging yourself to grow.

When you grow in your areas of strength, you’ll see an exponential increase in your energy levels.

Here are three great questions that can help you find your strengths that give you energy:

What activities make me feel energized and engaged? – This question helps you identify the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. By understanding what energizes you, you can find activities that align with your strengths and purpose.
What tasks or projects have I excelled in? – This question helps you identify your past successes and accomplishments. By understanding where you have excelled in the past, you can find opportunities to use those strengths and achieve even greater success.
What do others say are my strengths? – This question helps you get feedback from others on your strengths and abilities. By understanding how others perceive you, you can gain a new perspective on your strengths and find ways to use them to your advantage.

These questions can help you gain clarity on your strengths and identify the activities that give you energy and motivation.

It’s important to take the time to reflect on these questions and use the insights to guide your personal and professional development. Remember, leveraging your strengths is a key factor in achieving success and fulfillment in your life.

See How To Find Your Strengths.

#4. Understand the Cycles of Life

Life is cyclical, and it’s essential to understand these cycles to make the most of your energy.

This includes respecting the ebb and flow of life, taking time to rest and recover, and being patient with the process.

By going with the flow, you can improve your overall well-being and be better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

Here are three great questions to help you better understand the cycles of life:

What are the natural cycles or patterns in my life? – This question helps you identify the cyclical patterns in your life, such as daily, weekly, or seasonal cycles. By understanding these patterns, you can plan your activities and rest periods accordingly and optimize your energy levels.
What are my natural rhythms and preferences? – This question helps you understand your personal rhythms and preferences in terms of when you feel most productive or energized. By understanding these rhythms, you can schedule your activities and rest periods to align with your natural energy levels and maximize your productivity.
How can I balance rest and activity in my life? – This question helps you find a balance between rest and activity in your life. By understanding the importance of rest and recovery, you can schedule regular downtime to recharge your energy and prevent burnout. At the same time, by understanding the importance of taking action and making progress towards your goals, you can avoid stagnation and maintain momentum in your life.

These questions can help you better understand the cycles of life and find a balance between rest and activity.

By going with the flow and respecting the natural rhythms of your life, you can improve your overall well-being and be better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

One of the things I always tell people here is that my great downtime leads to my great uptime.

#5. Manage Your Expectations

Finally, it’s important to manage your expectations. When you set unrealistic expectations, you set yourself up for disappointment and burnout.

This can be avoided by testing your assumptions, being open to feedback, and adjusting your expectations accordingly.

By setting realistic expectations and being kind to yourself, you can maintain your energy and stay motivated.

Here are three incredible examples of managing your expectations:

Personal goals: Setting achievable personal goals is an excellent example of managing your expectations. For instance, if you want to get in shape, setting a realistic goal of exercising for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, rather than trying to work out for an hour every day can help you maintain your energy and stay motivated.
Professional development: Setting realistic expectations for your professional development is also crucial. For example, if you’re learning a new skill, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks can help you achieve your goals without feeling overwhelmed.
Relationships: Managing your expectations is essential in your relationships with others. By setting realistic expectations and being open to feedback, you can avoid disappointment and frustration in your relationships. For instance, if you expect your partner to read your mind and anticipate your needs, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, expressing your needs and expectations in a clear and kind manner can help you maintain healthy relationships and avoid burnout.

By managing your expectations in various aspects of your life, you can maintain your energy and stay motivated.

It’s important to be kind to yourself, test your assumptions, and adjust your expectations accordingly to set yourself up for success and fulfillment.

As you work through your expectations, one quote I found very insightful is this:

“Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.” — Brandon Sanderson

Renew Your Energy with Skill

Renewing your personal energy requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of your being.

By defining your purpose, utilizing multiple sources of energy, investing in your energy, understanding the cycles of life, and managing your expectations, you can create more energy and maintain a positive mindset that will help you tackle life’s challenges.

By incorporating these five principles into your daily routine, you can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life that supports your growth and well-being.

Renewing your personal energy is an ongoing process that requires commitment and effort, but the rewards are worth it.

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