Energy Equals Engagement

At the suggestion of my boss, I've started reading a book called The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. When I first heard the title, I assumed it was another business book along the lines of First Break All the Rules or other fairly recent publications dealing with how to deal with employees who are engaged, not engaged or actively disengaged. I was mistaken.

Instead, Loehr and Schwartz's work delves into a far bigger picture. They view energy as "the most fundamental currency of high performance," a vital resource that must be skillfully managed. Furthermore, the authors assert that to be "fully engaged," we must be physically energized, emotionally connected, mentally focused and spiritually aligned with a purpose beyond our immediate self-interest.

I am just getting to the section of the book that begins to unpack the dynamics of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy one at a time. But the authors certainly have hooked me with their premises, as well as their observations of the maddening grind that depletes so many of us of one or more of these dimensions of energy. We wear our scars from the rat race like badges of courage. Spending little time training or practicing to build endurance or capacity for our energies, we move at rapid-fire speed and multitask numerous challenges each day--and our bodies, relationships and, at times, careers pay a heavy price.

In particular, this book has my attention because of the recent stress in my own life that has sapped so much of my creativity. I take note that this current blog entry is dated nearly a month after the last one. That's a long dry spell. I've been consumed in some things that are necessary but draining, and have not liked the lack of balance in my life. This book comes at the perfect time. I will keep reading, and hope to have some a-ha moments.