I live in Tucson. Several members of my family live in Phoenix. We are about 100 miles apart. I often drive up to Phoenix to visit my family and it seems as if Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix is in a constant state of construction. Unfortunately there also seems to be an inappropriate number of automobile accidents along this stretch of road which cause slow downs and delays. So, I often experience obstacles that slow me down and sometimes even cause me to take detours.
Life is like my trips to Phoenix, filled with obstacles. You have plans to reach your goals, but obstacles along the way slow you down and sometimes bring you to a halt. You know where you are headed. You possess driving passions. You are clear about your vision. Yet you may make little or no progress because you haven’t identified and chosen to get past the psychological and other obstacles that get in the way. Instead you face frustrations and delays like I often do on my way to Phoenix.
One theme that runs through all of our discussions about obstacles is the idea that life is filled with energy drainers. These can be difficult people, pressures at work, emotions such as anxiety, or depression, unmet needs, and the “clutter” that often accumulates on your desk and in your life. Email, to do lists, phone calls, text messages, family activities and the list can go on and on.
Take the time to identify and list the energy drainers in your life such as: energy-draining people, emotions, frustrations on the home front or at work and any others you may have. Work through them to determine the ones that you can overlook and the ones that need immediate action. Make a list of the ones you determine you are willing and able to apply action to now in order to reduce the negative effects these energy-drainers have on you.
Master coach Diane Menedez suggests that we ask a few questions about each energy-drainer we identify;
• What is this energy drainer costing me in terms of time, energy, money, and peace of mind? Focus attention on the energy drainers that are costly. List the others or put them aside until later.
• Is this something that is likely to disappear in time, such as a winter cold? If so, it can be tolerated for a while until it’s gone.
• If it is costly and likely to persist, what action can I take to eliminate the energy drainer or reduce its impact? Sometimes this means applying principles of time management or dropping things from your schedule. It may mean having a garage sale, taking a vacation, or blocking out time to complete the most needling item on your list of things to do.
• What is positive about those energy drainers and what can I learn from them? When we know what drains our energy, we can take steps to prevent a reoccurrence in the future.
Proverbs 4:25-27 says, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked.”
Another great idea that I received from Dr. Gary Collins, another Master Coach, is to focus on energy givers. These are people, habits, activities, and anything else that gives you energy. Exercise, a walk in the park or a mall, being alone, time with a hobby, meeting with a friend in a coffee shop, or involvement with good friends can all give energy, providing they do not distract us so we lose focus. Think of and spend time with people you know who are natural energy givers. They are rare indeed but are people who will encourage you and are optimistic and really care about others.
Roadblocks are not really roadblocks. They are opportunities to help us grow to reach our full potential and really make a positive difference in the world. You can let your energy drainers slow you down and even stop your forward movement or you can chose to use them as an opportunity to grow and move forward. The choice is yours… chose wisely!
Dennis Watson
MyFullPotential@hotmail.com
www.RunningtheRace2Win.com
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