Clearly we understand being energized or tired.  We either have the physical energy to do something or we don’t. 

When we are feeling sad, we have low energy. 

When we are jazzed, we have high energy. 

We throw out things like, “they have good/bad energy,” but what does that even mean? 

We understand what it means in an abstract way, but how do we define it tangibly?

Let’s explore the different types of energy and their processes in the body. 

There are two types of energy in the body: catabolic & anabolic energy. 

Catabolic energy detracts, it is a  “tearing down” force. It’s associated with stress and when someone perceives a situation as being stressful, the brain creates catabolic hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. The purpose of these hormones is to break down the body’s cells and tissues and provide energy to push through the stress. 

Anabolic energy, on the other hand,  is constructive. Anabolic energy is a “building up” force. I associate it with breath and expansion. This happens because when the brain is NOT under stress, it tells the body to release anabolic hormones that are designed to optimize the body’s systems.

What does this mean for you?

Well, the thing I want you to key in on is the word “perceives.” We pick up subconscious lenses throughout our lives. These lenses are created through what we’ve been taught and the experiences we’ve had. 

We perceive things differently from one another because we all have different lenses. 

A super simple example is getting stuck in traffic. One person could see this as extremely stressful because of what being late means about them to other people.. 

They feel victimized by the pile up, and/or they rage, banging on the steering wheel. 

Another person sees it as an opportunity to catch up on some podcasts and doesn’t even consider that being late due to something outside of their control could mean anything about them or their ability to be on time. 

The first person in this example is having a catabolic experience. 

Catabolic emotions are guilt, shame, anger, loathing, apathy, resentment, frustration, worry. 

These emotions not only deplete our energy and immune system but also block us from our creativity and the ability to see opportunities. 

The second person catching up on podcasts is having more of an anabolic experience. They aren’t exactly jazzed, which would be fully anabolic, but they are able to rationalize the situation and not dip into a catabolic state. 

Anabolic energy is constructive, growth-oriented, creative, healing, energizing, etc. 

Anabolic emotions are love, forgiveness, passion, joy, empathy; emotions that lead to an overall sense of wellbeing and positivity. 

The 7 Levels of Energy

I was trained at IPEC, where we learned to view energy through seven levels, a concept created by Bruce D. Schnieder. 

The lowest level of energy, level 1 is fully catabolic and the highest level, level 7 is fully anabolic. 

We all have a mix of these energy levels and understanding how we show up energetically helps us to grow and shift our consciousness, which changes how we experience life and how we lead. 

Leadership is for everyone, not just corporate executives. 

But if you are the corporate type, check out this Forbes article for legitimacy and to tickle your fancy. 

Okay, so we all lead! Think of two little kids playing, one of them is leading, one of them has stronger energy and is more influential than the other. We all take the lead, at times, in our relationships, friendships, work collaborations, and we even lead ourselves through consciousness. Followership is equally as important and we can totally follow consciously. 

We don’t just hang out in one energy level at a time, we each have a unique energetic makeup and an energetic stress response. 

The more conscious or aware you are of your energy, the better able you are to shift yourself into the energy levels that optimize your life. It’s also helpful to know what parts of you still need healing. 

For example, I’ve done a lot of healing work throughout my life. I’ve been through years of therapy and trauma resolution. When my energetic stress response showed me that I had repressed anger and strong victim energy, I was able to see that I still had some perspective shifting to do around what was happening in my life. 

My general state of being is pretty joyful and my days are filled with gratitude. At the same time, I was  unaware of how my response to trauma in the form of stress triggers were holding me back from success and creativity. This awareness pointed me in the direction of what to work on and heal. 

I have strong energy and easily step into leadership roles whether I intend to or not. It’s important for me to know how I impact others energetically and how I lead myself in life’s experiences. The same is true for you no matter how strong you perceive your energy to be. 

This is where the Energy Leadership Index™ illuminates your blind spots.

The ELI™ is an attitudinal assessment which is different from a personality assessment. 

Personality based assessments, such as Myers Briggs and D.I.S.C. are very valuable tools that pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses based on your personality. These assessments help you function more effectively by adapting your behavior to “work with what you have.”

The ELI™ measures your level of energy based on your attitude, or perception and perspective of your world. 

Because attitude is subjective, it can be altered. 

By working with a coach using the ELI™, you can alter your attitude and perspective, make a shift in your consciousness, and increase your energy and leadership effectiveness. 

There are no limits on the potential growth that you can achieve. Once you realize that your level of consciousness is directly related to your actions, you can move from functioning effectively, to functioning optimally.

Time to reclaim your energy!

As my clients identify what is draining their energy, they are able to overcome those energy blocks and increase overall satisfaction in all areas of their lives. 

By aligning their energy with their intentions, relationships improve, creativity & productivity get a boost, confidence increases, and things that once seemed out of reach become possible. 

What will you do with all of your reclaimed energy? What would life be like without those gremlins hanging out in the shadows of your mind? What breakthroughs are waiting to be actualized through you?

When you’re ready to explore your energetic makeup and stress response, let’s get started! Schedule an exploration call to find out what this looks like for you, a curious chat isn’t a commitment. 😉

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© 2006 – 2011 Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)