I went through a rough patch last night. It’s really hard to get me down, but sometimes, something happens that really sinks my mood. But from this, as I do with most things in my life, I came out with something to think about.
First, The Social Net Has Changed
Years ago, I was fond of saying that the Internet is a crappy place to take a bad mood. When you’re feeling down, don’t go looking to the social networks of the day (mostly chat rooms and forums) to make you feel better. But last night, when I mentioned briefly in Twitter that I felt down, I got a bunch of responses all at once from friends. That was new. Different than normal.
I don’t advocate asking the Internet for support when you feel a little blue. It just turned out okay last night. Believe me, I know quite a few “sad sacks” that will never feel happy, and that love to throw sad moods on you like a soaked wool sweater. But if you find yourself in a rare, weird bout of the blues, try Twittering. You never know.
How Do I Stay Energized?
Friends and reading. Learning and accomplishing. Trying, reviewing, and trying something new. Sharing what I’ve learned.
These are all the bread and butter of what keeps my engine going. When I read about what friends are up to, it motivates me. When I hang out with an energized crowd, I take that creative energy with me for days afterwards. And when I learn new things, or hit some kind of goal, I feel alive and ready to do even more.
Trying out all kinds of ideas and sharing the ones I’m either about to try or haven’t the time to try are other ways I keep topped up on energy and motivation.
Energy Comes from Doing
Observing, sitting back, reacting are all words that keep you from feeling top shelf and moving through your challenges towards something bigger. I find that by reaching out, trying new things, making new friendships bloom, are ways that I keep my “doing-engine” purring along. When I fall back into a pattern of passivity, for whatever purpose, is when I feel a bit down.
Stay aware of your moods, your energy, and what you’re doing in given days. Be attentive to which friends boost your energy, and which tax it. Try having more of the A column, and less of the B.
The Basics
Exercise, good food, and sleeping well help. No, really. If you can manage those, you’ll have more energy than the average palooka. Believe it or not, sleep isn’t an optional commodity.
And You?
How do you stay energized? What do you do when something comes along to scuttle your mood? Are you known around the office as someone energetic and upbeat? Or are you the low-energy downer person?