The Hidden Energy Source That Can Make or Break Your Day

Many physicians come to me for help because they are physically and emotionally drained. They are working many extra hours outside of their set patient care times. They expect me to teach them the physical skills or the technology hacks to save them time in the day – and they think that is the major part of our coaching session.

Sure, physical skills are important, no question about it. To be efficient, there is much more to it. Efficiency is to use less time and less effort to get the same thing done. It is like those efficient light bulbs – they use less energy and light up brighter and longer than regular light bulbs.

How does this apply to busy physicians? It depends on how we use our energy. There are different types of energy sources within us – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. If we can optimize each of these energy sources, we will be very efficient. Even just optimizing one energy source, you will see the difference. While you can work  on all four energy sources at the same time, if you have to pick one, the most challenging one is probably your emotional energy. When you can manage your emotional energy, it is easier to optimize the other three.

What kind of emotional energy do you carry with you at work? Self-awareness is the first step. Rather than allowing your emotions to run on their own, to dictate how you feel and how you do things, as if that is the final truth – find out what default emotional energy you carry to work with you. Is that emotional energy helpful? Is it sustainable, or is it draining? In general, pleasant emotions are sustainable. You do not mind experienceing more of them. Some examples are feeling joyful, confident, hopeful and empowered. Sometimes, you find ways to create more pleasant emotions, such as intentionally doing things you enjoy doing. When you are utilizing pleasant or sustainable energy, you do not feel drained easily. I would choose to spend more time on pleasant emotions simply because they feel good.

This is in contrast with unpleasant emotions, for example, feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed and annoyed. Notice how they make you feel even by just mentioning them. These emotions are draining, not to mention that they are uncomfortable to feel. Most people prefer to spend as little time as possible to experience these emotions. When you are experiencing and utilizing this type of emotional energy, you may question why you feel this way. You are spending more effort to wonder and question your emotions. You will get things done, but you will also feel exhausted easily. Everything you do seems to take more effort. You are using more brain power, more effort to focus and concentrate. Although you get the task done, it is certainly not a sustainable way to do things, and it is not an efficient way to operate.

On the other hand, the pleasant energy source allows you to appreciate how you feel. Instead of disliking your emotions, you accept it as your usable energy source. By choosing the pleasant emotional fuel, you get to focus better. You are more open to different things, learn different things, and become even more efficient. When you are feeling a pleasant emotion, you are more at peace instead of wanting to argue with reality. It is easier to be curious, to be open to different possibilities and opportunities. These lead to developing physical skills to become more efficient.

Efficiency at work starts with choosing the right emotional energy for you. Pleasant emotions are sustainable, and you get to decide to use it or not. Unpleasant emotions are draining. Even though you get things done, you are more likely to be exhausted, drained – emotionally and physically. When you are at this stage, it takes you more effort to focus and you are easily distracted. Despite having the physical skills to be efficient, you are unable to execute them well. What emotion do you choose to be your energy source today?