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We can feel drained, rested, or energized in each of our four capacities: physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual. In this episode we discuss how to refresh, re-fire, and replenish those four capacities and how to stay full of life and energy.
This is a podcast, so there is more content in the audio than in the notes.
We have a body, a soul, and a spirit, it is our tripartite nature. We can be filled up and energized, or we can feel drained and depleted in each of these four areas: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical.
We can feel drained, rested, or energized in each of our four capacities: physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual. In this episode we discuss those four capacities and how to rest and replenish to stay full of life and energy.
This is a podcast for multiplying leaders, so as you listen, please consider not only your own life calibration, but also consider this a tool to assist you in helping and lifting those you love and lead when they feel overwhelmed and drained.
This is one of the foundational principles by which we manage our lives and our energy. We discussed this briefly back in episode 087 in a podcast entitled, “Depression Busters: Rest and Energy Levels.”
Printing processes use only 4 colors: Cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow, and black. These colors are referred to as CMYK, with “K” standing for black. When one of those ink wells runs dry, the result is an image that is “off” in its coloring.
Have you ever seen a picture of a forest printed out on a printer whose “yellow” ink was depleted? The trees look bluish or purple. Or an ocean scene that looks red and orange because the blue ink is depleted.
Missing any of those four colors affects the image. You can still see the image, and perhaps well enough to see details, but the color is off and it is not a true representation of the photographed image.
We have four “tanks,” spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical, and if any of those tanks are depleted or running low, though we may look normal, there will be something “off” about us. Depending on the levels of those four tanks, the results can be damaging.
This is yet another page out of our own lives on our journey. As we travel, stretch ourselves, and sometimes push beyond our limits we recognize that if just one of those “tanks” is running dry, it affects the entire picture.
So, from a practical standpoint, how can you gauge these energy levels, how do you manage them, and how do you replenish them? Every individual is different and you must learn to read your “tank” levels and how to refill them.
In each of the four capacities we will …
- consider opposites, because understanding opposites help us understand how to implement positives,
- consider the drains unique to you,
- consider what gives you rest and refreshing in each capacity, and
- what replenishes or fills your tank.
Spiritual Drains, Refreshing, and Replenishment
The opposite of feeling spiritually refreshed is feeling forsaken.
Inspiration is our spiritual fuel, spiritual silence (like a wall) is the opposing drain.
So, when you are spiritually drained you may feel forsaken and you may feel your prayers are not heard, considered, or doing any good (silence).
How do you find spiritual rest? Is it quiet listening, praise, spiritual music, etc. What is it for you?
How do you replenish spiritually? Revelation brings transformation, so new revelation gained fills our spiritual tank? How does this happen for you?
Draw out a matrix and use it to help you consider the signs of spiritual depletion, what you do to spiritually rest, and what you do to spiritually replenish or renew.
Emotional Drains, Refreshing, and Replenishment
The opposite of feeling emotionally refreshed may be feeling hopeless.
Ignition is our emotional (passion) fuel, feeling stuck and unmotivated is the opposing drain.
So, when you are emotionally drained you may feel stuck, unmotivated, and overwhelmed because your attitude, feelings, and perspectives are out of whack.
How do you find emotional (soul) rest? Is it diversions to adjust your focus, etc.? What is it for you?
How do you replenish emotionally? For us it is life-giving relationships that encourage us and give life, recreation that focuses on things that bring joy, experiencing the joys of life. How do you replenish emotionally?
Draw out a matrix and use it to help you consider the signs of emotional depletion, what you do to emotionally rest (to give rest to your soul), and what you do to emotionally replenish or renew.
Remember, everything affects everything, so there is a lot of carry over from the other capacities.
Intellectual Drains, Refreshing, and Replenishment
The opposite of feeling intellectually (creatively) refreshed may be feeling empty and dull.
Insight is our intellectual fuel, feeling confusion with a lack of clarity and creativity is its opposite.
So, when you are intellectually drained your creativity and ability to think are diminished.
How do you find intellectual rest? It could be zoning down and watching a movie, or reading for pure entertainment value, or just sitting and watching a child play. What is it for you?
How do you replenish intellectually? Perhaps you read a book, you learn a new skill, or even continue your education. How do you replenish intellectually?
Draw out a matrix and use it to help you consider the signs of intellectual depletion, what you do to intellectually rest (to give rest to your mind), and what you do to intellectually replenish or renew.
Remember, everything affects everything, so there is a lot of carry over from the other capacities.
Physical Drains, Refreshing, and Replenishment
The opposite of feeling physically refreshed may be feeling listless and tired.
Implementation is our physical fuel, feeling exhausted is its opposite.
So, when you are physically drained your energy levels are diminished.
How do you find physical rest? Taking a day off (sabbath), a vacation, a sabbatical, just sitting down and resting for a while. What is it for you, short term and long term?
How do you replenish physically? Exercise and eating right are the obvious answers. The paradox of finding more energy through wisely expending energy. How do you replenish physically?
Draw out a matrix and use it to help you consider the signs of physical depletion, what you do to physically rest (to give rest to your body), and what you do to physically replenish or renew.
Remember, everything affects everything, so there is a lot of carry over from the other capacities.
Finally…
These four capacities for energy have to be managed together and individually. If you do not keep your tank full, your colors will eventually run out.
Take the time to draw out a matrix to help you evaluate what drains your tank, what fills your tank, and how you know when it is time to rest and when when it is time to replenish.
Here’s a couple of books that may be of help:
Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loher and Tony Schwartz
