(In a time before Covid… remember that?)
I’ve been looking forward to going out with my friends all week. It’s finally Friday and we are going to hit our favorite spot for drinks and a light dinner.
It HAS to be a light dinner. Truth is, while I am excited and do want to spend time with my friends, I’ve also been pretty apprehensive about it.
I’m really trying to watch my weight and live healthier. Every time I go out with my friends, I tell myself I’ve got a two drink limit and will only order salad.
Yet, without fail, those two drinks turn into four and the next thing I know I’m knuckles deep in the nachos, wings and the most incredible chocolate mousse dessert in town; I cannot resist. Who could?
No matter what I try, I always end up here. Why bother trying?
Can you relate? I know I sure can.
In my last post, I started this new series with an overview of the emotional energy factors at work in our efforts to make real lasting behavior change in our lives.
As I mentioned in that post, there are seven different primary “levels” to describe the types of energy we all experience at any given moment.
In this post, we are diving into Level 1. So let’s do it!
Level 1 (catabolic): Lack of choice. Victim energy. I can’t. I have to. Fearful.
We all experience Level 1 energy, especially under stress.
Remember the example I gave last week of someone experiencing Level 1 energy around trying to change their eating habits?
“I can’t lose weight. I’ve tried and always fail. Plus, I just can’t seem to resist the tempting food that’s around me all the time.”
Level 1 energy is highly catabolic.
Level 1 energy is about feeling at the effect of (influenced by) life, circumstance or a situation. As a kid we feel it when being told to do something we don’t want to do (chores, eating our veggies, picking up after the dog, etc).
As adults, we all experience Level 1 energy when under stress, such as: when we feel things are out of our control, conflict, powerlessness, lack of choice, etc.
As I write this, we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is a perfect example. Most of us are overcome with Level 1 energy out of fear from the virus, being told we have to stay home, loss of our freedoms, and going shopping in a pseudo-post-apocalyptic environment where you are asked to wear a mask, not to touch things and keep your distance from others.
We are living in a world drowning in fear and feeling like we are at the effect of the virus, the economy, new regulations on what we can/can’t do, and everything else that is negatively impacting our lives during this pandemic.
Experiencing Level 1 energy in this way is completely normal. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not broken. Level 1 energy is a perfectly valid experience.
In fact, there are both advantages and disadvantages at every energy level, including Level 1.
While experiencing Level 1 energy is perfectly normal, if we stay there for too long, it can have long-term negative effects.
We’ve all met someone who just seems to have a dark cloud over them all the time. Think Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.
You know who I’m talking about – that friend or relative who just sucks the life out of you because all they do is complain about everything and everyone wrong in the world and how they can never catch a break, never get ahead, are always ill… it’s exhausting.
So what’s the point of all of this? Why even care (very level 1 of you, haha)?
Specifically related to behavior change, Level 1 energy is the enemy. At Level 1, it is impossible to make change. There is no will, there is no drive, there is no action.
Understanding Level 1 energy is important so that you can recognize, not only when you are experiencing this energy, but what brings it up for you and what you can do about it.
For example, if you want to lose weight but feel powerless to the junk food in your house – simply getting rid of it (Level 2 response) will free you from – not only the spell they cast on you – but also from the judgement and self-loathing that follows giving into it (Level 1 response).
Without the chips and cookies calling your name all the time, you will be free from their grip and the feelings illicit. You will be more easily able to stay positive and move closer to your goal.
Inaction is a major factor with Level 1 energy. So, as you would expect, a good antidote is the opposite – action. Doing something, often anything, is vital to moving out of this energy level.
Some questions to get you thinking:
- What bring out your Level 1 energy? What situations, circumstances, people, etc?
- When you experience Level 1 energy:
- What is the main challenge?
- What’s one thing you can do to help move out of it?
- How can you re-frame the situation to help yourself move past it?
Often, to break out of Level 1 energy, we need to first move into Level 2 energy…. What’s that look like? Stay tuned… we’ll dig into Level 2 next week!
READY TO EXPLORE HOW THESE ENERGY LEVELS SHOW UP IN YOUR LIFE?
Take the ELI assessment!
The ELI Assessment can be purchased by itself or as part of a coaching package.
As a certified ELI Master Practitioner, I will help to guide you in understanding your unique energy profile and give you first steps to create your new reality.
The assessment only takes about 20 minutes to complete. Once the results are in, I will guide you through a 1:1 Energy Leadership Index debrief session.
Through this personalized session, you’ll discover the percentage of each of the 7 energy levels that you typically experience under stress and also under “normal” conditions.
You’ll gain insights into where (and how) you’re investing your energy and discover a clear path to your goals—and likely, a higher A.R.L. From the assessment and debrief, you’ll be able to make a plan and adjust your priorities in support of your work and life goals.
The Energy Leadership™ Index (ELI) assessment is the proprietary, research-backed assessment tool that takes something abstract, like the way a person views the world, and turns it into something tangible—a metric that you can see and feel and even reevaluate in the future. And, it’s only available through a Certified ELI Master Practitioner, like me (Jeff Spitzer)!
Ready to take control? You can do it. I can help. Together we’ll crush it.
Jeff Spitzer
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