Energy

High energy equals high productivity. High productivity equals high degrees of success. Obviously high degrees of success equals high degrees of income and profit.

What creates high energy? Positive attitudes and thus positive thoughts always energize us just as negative attitudes and negatives thoughts drag us down. Pay attention to what brings a smile to your face and a light to your spirit. Also pay attention to when you feel discouraged, frustrated, tired and sad. As much as we may love some of our friends, family and colleagues at work, some of them are simply downers. If the conversation turns negative and they do not respond to bringing it back around to an encouraging and uplifting tone, perhaps it is time to gracefully excuse yourself. There are people you can spend a hour with but perhaps not a day and others you could spend a day but perhaps not a few days. Unfortunately instead of you being able to bring them up to your level of forward thinking and upward progress in life, it is more likely that they will bring you down toward their low energy. You are frequently the average of your five closest associates. Are they going in the direction you choose to take your life?

Another energy drain can be our nutrition. One noted authority said we dig our grave with our teeth. That is a bit graphic but true. You can eat greasy junk food from the vending machine and cheeseburgers and fries for lunch or you can select fresh fruit or vegetables for a snack and a salad for lunch. The old basic 7 food group chart which I learned as a child (yes, I am older than most of you, especially those who many not even remember a basic 7 chart), suggested one or two servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Since that time we moved to the "strive for five" theory. The "strive for five" guideline suggested that we have at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. The current recommendation is at least 7 servings of fresh, or at least unprocessed, fruits and vegetables every day for women and 9 for men. How are you doing on your nutrition?

Another drain on energy is tobacco, alcohol and my beloved coffee. I'm not saying cut out all of your fun foods and beverages but at least restrict to one or two of these beverages a day. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol at least 3 to 4 hours before sleep. You will have a more restful deep sleep and awake refreshed and ready to tackle your day. The goal is to wake up like a child on Christmas morning. Ever see a child on Christmas morning hit the snooze button? I don't think so.

If you write down everything you eat or drink during a day and check in with your energy level, it will guide you to what makes you feel the best. I had to give up diet Pepsi which I really enjoyed because I found it increased my appetite. I also saw an article by the highway patrol where they poured a can of Coke on the highway to dissolve blood. Oops if it does that to concrete or asphalt what is it doing in my body. Its all about choices.

Your thoughts, attitudes, associations, nutrition and sleep all have a profound effect on your energy. It is your life, your body and your future. You make the best choices for yourself.