Hello, joyful community!
I didn’t used to be a fan of Mondays.
Back when I used to travel every week for my consulting job, I’d get moody and feel sick to my stomach on Sundays knowing the inevitable awaited: the start of another week away from home.
So, when I left my corporate job to start my own business, I vowed to make Mondays as good as (or even better than) Fridays.
On Mondays, I wake up early and take care of me before I take care of my work:
I walk, meditate, write, and do yoga. I intentionally don’t schedule calls if I can avoid it and I fill my to-do list with things I want to do, like writing this newsletter!
But this past Monday, I was on the “struggle train” (as my sis-in-law says).
Instead of feeling excited for the week, I felt overwhelmed.
Instead of looking forward to working (which I truly do most days!), I was dreading opening my computer.
Fortunately, I’ve found a tiny life “hack” to snap me out of any Monday blues.
It’s a little trick that has proven so effective, that it’s become a recurring daily item on my task list.
It’s the one daily activity that without fail, erases any funky mood and gets me back to feeling energized and focused.
This daily activity is always the first on my to-do list (highlighted):
Over the years, I’ve learned that whenever my energy feels “off”, chances are, I’m focusing on myself a wee bit too much.
You see, insecurity, overwhelm, self-doubt, judgment, and any brain chatter that doesn’t serve us typically live where our egos live. In my coach training, we called this “Level 1” energy.
“I’m feeling very ‘Level 1’” has become a typical way for me to describe feeling stuck or out of sorts to my husband. It’s the type of energy where we feel helpless or powerless.
Level 1 is also the type of energy where we’re afraid of what other people will think or worry that we’ll embarrass ourselves. It’s the energy of worry and fear, emotions that can lead us to withdraw and want to hide in a safe cocoon.
This past Monday, I was stuck in “Level 1”, thinking:
What if I don’t make progress on my goals this week?
What if I don’t coach my clients powerfully enough?
What if I can’t help people this week?
What if I look like a fool in my next presentation?
With these thoughts, I was tempted to call it a day and just watch TV.
But I knew better. I knew that all the thoughts creating my Level 1 energy had one pronoun in common: “I”.
Instead of indulging in all my fears focused on me, I opened my to-do list and tackled the first - and most important - item on my list:
Today, serve one person.
Coaching question:
Who is one person in your world that you can serve today?
When we snap out of our inner ego and shift our focus outward, we’re better able to activate energy that better serves us, like the higher “Level 4” energy, the level of compassion, or “Level 5” (my personal favorite) the level of opportunity.
Last Thursday, I was brimming with Level 5 energy: creative ideas for my business were pouring out of me before I could properly articulate them. On Saturday, when my parents surprised me with a belated birthday party, I also experienced a lot of Level 6 energy: I felt connected and loved by everyone around me. These higher levels of energy are a lot of fun!
While no energy is good or bad, more often than not, higher levels of energy serve us better because they feel better!
At higher levels of energy, we’re better able to access our potential and stay focused on our goals. At the end of the day, we also feel less depleted.
It’s simple: better energy creates better results.
To create better energy, shift your focus outwards.
Let’s check in for a moment:
What is the quality of your energy today?
Are you feeling connected, loving, compassionate, and perhaps creative, brimming with ideas?
Or are you feeling “meh”, worried about the future, afraid of messing up, wondering when the other shoe will drop?
If you’re stuck in Level 1 energy, do this one simple thing:
Serve one person.
“Serving” that one person (a client, family member, friend, a stranger) can be simple:
Give them a compliment
Surprise them
Tell them you love them
Help them
Teach them something
Write something for them
Send them something
Give a little extra than you normally would (like your time)
Feeling better really can be as simple as that:
To make yourself feel better, go serve someone else.
I promise you: this little energizing trick works!
P.S. Want to change your energy?
Let’s work together! My clients take an “Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment” during our work together. This attitudinal assessment helps them discover how their energy is serving them or holding them back from reaching their goals. This awareness is powerful, as it allows us to explore what’s keeping them stuck and focus our coaching work on raising the quality of their energy (because better energy = better results!).
Curious? Let’s start with a 20-minute call where I’ll ask you three questions to explore if you’re ready to coach with me. Book this time here.Ask me Anything: Several of you took advantage of my offer last week to support you with anything you might be struggling with (like a career change, procrastination, or overwhelm). I’m running this (free) offer through the end of this week. It’s simple: ask me anything by replying to this e-mail and I promise you, I’ll give you my best coaching, advice, or tools.
Join me for the final Open Hours call this month! Are you experiencing a work transition (or know someone who has)? I’m bringing Open Hours back for the months of August and September to support those who are experiencing a transition at work (desired or not). “Open Hours” provide a safe space to share, vent, reflect, and process big changes at work (like a layoff, being fired, or quitting). Join me next week for the last session of this month (one spot left!). Sign up here.
I love this one!! I’m taking it and loving it and thinking about you every time someone gets something nice out of me. Just kidding! I do love this!!!