"The world of the 1990's and beyond will not belong to "managers" or those who can make the numbers dance. The world will belong to passionate, driven leaders - those who not only have enormous amounts of energy, but can energize those whom they lead."...Jack Welch
The first resolution of my Happiness Project is focusing on boosting my energy levels. I thought this a good place to begin as I'll need improvements in this area to ensure seeing my project through to completion. Having sufficient energy is vital to happiness as well as success. It's a measurement of good health as well. For this reason, this commandment is the only one of my twelve that I'm focusing on throughout the entire project. It's also the only one I'm keeping both a diary as well as recording statistics.
How is improving energy related to improving happiness levels, or being an energizer? An energizer is someone who motivates others and leads by example - is positive, enthusiastic, a team player, and a high performer. We want to associate with these type of people, engage with them, listen to them and know we'll be listened back. We want to work with them, we want to live with them, we want and need them in our lives. I believe that these positive qualities make peoples lives not only more interesting and passionate, but indeed happier. So back to my question, is there a connection between having more energy (relating to diet, exercise and sleep) and being an energizer? Based on my experiences and what I read - I'd have to say yes.
I worked as a Senior Accountant for a group of public companies back in the eighties and throughout the nineties. I worked with individuals with titles ranging from Bookkeeper to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. There were many different personalities during my thirteen years that I can now clearly label as energizers. And yes, my recollection remains pretty clear - they all had very healthy attitudes toward nutrition, exercise and sleep.
As I was preparing for this Happiness Project, I went through my work portfolio and found several letters of recommendation written for me back in 1999. I'm glad I saved them because they really lifted my spirit. "Linda is very much a team player, she's positive, enthusiastic and shows great flexibility in her ability to perform new tasks". Ah that was nice...was I an energizer too? I often wonder how I would be regarded today if placed in that same situation. I'd like to think I'm just as positive and perky as I used to be, but I fear it's wishful thinking. My current portfolio written by school principals and teachers write that I'm patient, caring, compassionate and knowledgeable. Those are well suited qualities for what I'm currently doing, but I'll have to admit that I'd also like those around me to feel I'm a positive and enthusiastic person. I'd like to remember what that feels like again.
One very good reason to focus on improving energy as an integral part of my project.
I'd like to end today's post with a video clip from the X-Factor - a new show I'm really enjoying! This is Drew - she's only 14, I really love her voice, and this song she performed Tuesday "What a Feeling!", was a favourite of mine from the 80's (remember Flashdance?), so uplifting and shall I say, energizing. This version is quite different, but it's great, enjoy!
Be happy. Be well.
Cheers!
Linda
