FOCUS: Managing our Energy
This week, we continue our series looking at the topic of FOCUS.
I have to admit, the topic of FOCUS has been an interesting one for me. Over the past few weeks, I have tried to be more aware of my focus time and have taken stock on how much time is spent NOT focusing on the right things when needed. Perhaps, like me, you have realized how little you focus on being focused.
This week, I want to introduce the topic of managing our ENERGY as a part of helping us maintain focus.
When I was younger, I did what typical young boys did for that era. I spent a lot of time outside with friends. I was curious. I experimented with toys and went on personal adventures. And, on occasion, I made scientific discoveries that were new to me.
For instance, I remember learning how wonderfully engaging a magnifying glass could be. I could see things up close and clearly when looking through the lens. A whole new world of details was made available to me through as I looked through the circular glass. Then, it happened; I learned how focusing the light from the sun on an object caused a reaction. It was amazing! Toys would melt. My dads car could receive burn marks on the paint. Dry leaves would begin to burn. I could surprise unsuspecting friends by pointing the lens at their hand. When I focused the energy from the sun through the lens of the magnifying glass things happened! The entertainment was endless.
I use this example of a magnifying glass to help us think about how we might manage our own energies as a way of helping us focus with higher quality.
We all have a certain amount of energy. I have worked with some who seem to have very high energy. They are always moving. Outgoing. Fast-paced. They have an outward expression of energy that can motivate, and sometimes exasperate, other people. There are others who seem to have little energy at all. They are quiet. Reserved. Thoughtful. Reflective. If we didn’t know better, we would characterize them as lacking any energy at all.
Q: Before reading further - would you say you are a person of high-energy or low-energy? Maybe both depending on the situation?
We describe ENERGY in different ways. We consider where we are spending it. We are concerned about wasting it. We talk about not having it. We sometimes think we have too much of it. We experience high and low versions of it. We often wish we could harness it. The concept of “energy” is personal to each of us.
For me, I know I have creative and mental energy in the mornings. This is when I do my best thinking and writing. My physical energy tends to peak in the afternoon. This is when I seem to have my best workout sessions. When I schedule my daily agenda to match my natural energy flow I function with high capacity and offer a high level of quality. When I deviate from this, I experience less productivity and contribute with a lower value to those around me. In other words, when I put EFFORT into managing my energy by doing the right things at the right time my performance is better and the results achieved are higher.
Q: What does your personal energy flow (timing) look like?
I wonder how we, as Corpath members, should be using our ENERGY most wisely.
2 Peter 1:3-11 gives us an idea of the things that we need to be focusing our energy on; faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love.
Pause and read that passage now.
That seems like quite a long list! How can we ever have enough energy to focus on all of those things? Perhaps the idea is to focus on each specific area for a short while as it builds and leads to the next. First, we put our energy into building our faith. When the faith is strengthened, we then focus on goodness. When goodness becomes part of our nature, we then put effort into increasing our knowledge in Christ. And so on. I think you get the idea.
We also know that we are encouraged to approach everything we do with a focused energy that creates high value because we do it not for our personal edification, but as an act of service to God.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Lastly, Matthew 6:33 says we are “seek first His Kingdom and righteousness”. When we do, we need not worry about anything.
Referring to the stated mandate of Corpath, we are members who embrace the concept of pursuing excellence in business, life and spirit as we bring glory to God. Pursuing excellence requires focusing our energies very specifically and not deviating from that focus. It permeates everything we do. In doing this, we never should consider our ENERGY as being wasted because we know we are bringing glory to God and helping those around us see Christ up close and with more detail.
In that sense, WE are the magnifying glass!
My Prayer:
God, I praise you for teaching me about focus today. I thank you for these words that have caused me to think about where I put my ENERGY. May I always be thinking about working in a way that serves you better. May my focused energy get the attention of those around me as I show them how good a life built in You can be. Amen
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
