How Personal Energy Management Changed Me

Most of us change over time, some for the worse and some for the better.

How we change often depends on making the decision to change. But I also believe that the circumstances that happen in one’s life is a big factor on affecting that change.

For example, I’ve been out of the Elite Sport world for 16 years now, and the journey has been a great adventure.

Looking back and remembering who I was, and comparing that person to who I am today, I can’t help but see how Personal Energy Management has changed the way I think, act, view and respond to the world around me now, for the better.

Here are some things that have changed in me through the years:

1. I no longer stress about my performance – and life in general for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly feel pressure at times, and I really want to perform at my best in whatever I do, but I now choose to look forward rather than dwell on the past and move on quickly to the next thing. I’ve given up the habit of worrying and learned to accept things in life as they come. Because I know that no matter what happens, I can always rely on my skills (or learn new ones) to adapt.

2. I don’t get bothered anymore by small and petty things, like people who drive slow on the fast lane of the highway, or people that are rude and unhelpful.  Benjamin Zanders’ “Rule Number 6” from his book “The Art of Possibility” is a fantastic rule to live by (Rule Number 6 is “Don’t take yourself so g-damn seriously”). And if you’re wondering what the other rules are, well, there aren’t any!

3. I’ve stopped blaming others when things become hard for me. I’ve accepted the fact that whatever happens in my life is caused mostly by my own decisions, (and sometimes by things outside of my control) but not because “others” did something wrong.

4. I now have a healthier self-image. I don’t have perfect skin, my hair is receding and it’s not it’s original colour, and I simply cannot dance fluently – but I am better at being vulnerable and sharing things about me. I am no longer afraid to admit my mistakes – because I feel that failures and bad decisions are fantastic learning experiences – and they also make success so much sweeter in the end.

5. I believe that the world is abundant with opportunities. I used to think that “protecting your IP” was crucial, but to be honest, there is enough work out there for everyone if you are willing to look for it.

6. I’m more open to trying new things and I am better at asking for help from others who are better than me at something.

7. I am very conscious of minimising the amount of “drama” in my life; gone are the days when I used to wallow in self-pity and regret. Whenever I feel flat, I simply exercise and run. Twenty minutes later, I feel better and more invigorated.

8. I now care less of what other people think, what’s more important to me now is that I’m a better person to my friends and family.

All that said, I am most certainly not perfect and I would like to be better at a number of things, including my key relationships. But I must say that pursuing an improvement in my personal energy levels is one of the best things that I’ve worked for; and it can be yours too. Try it because it’s extremely worth it.