by Tim Hooper | Jun 12, 2018 | Igniting Energy
What’s the difference? Energy’s not motivation although they’re related. Motivation can getus going, but energy (our internal driver) will keep us going.
Motivation’s external; energy’s internal.
Motivation’s someone else’s fire; energy’s our fire – it’s internal. Energy is inner fullness and personal power moving us in a focused direction. It’s “one’s capacity” to accomplish great things. Energy allows us to operate at peak performance every day from a place of abundance.
We can’t “put on” fullness. We’re either entering someone else’s life (spouse, child, team member, client, and so on) from a place of abundance or a place of emptiness. And when our energy’s lacking or empty, the experience will also be lacking.
We cannot give what we do not have.
Motivation can be equated to seeds planted in our minds that, if internalized, can ignite our very own energy. We all want to do better and give our best, but there are obstacles of unbelief, lack of internal passion, and ceaseless inner voices that hold us back. The seeds of motivation can enter our minds and help us to overcome the obstacles by adding faith, quieting the inner voices of fear and igniting our flame!
Motivation can get us going and show us what more effectual living looks like, but we must not rely on motivation. Why live catching motivational fires that blow by externally without igniting our own, down deep in our souls? Let’s ignite OUR energy, firing on all cylinders and becoming a daily powerhouse.
Life happens though, and when some trial or tough situation knocks the wind out of us, wisdom taps into encouraging sources of motivation and inspiration. There’s strength in numbers. Surrounding ourselves with people keeps us centered, connected and hopeful. Being knocked down is often the time we reevaluate our life’s purpose and determine what’s really important to us. So then, every time we’re feeling down-and-out, unmotivated, or stagnant, let’s consider:
What could YOU do every day that would literally add wood to YOUR internal fire? What beliefs could you overhaul that, when improved, would fuel your V8, twin-turbo engine? Motivation can help us imagine a better way, but let’s discover and develop our gifts, eliminate our fears, and map out a powerful vision for our life. Then, let us courageously go after OUR vision every single day!
This is your life; it’s your energy. Is your energy (your internal driver) ignited? Are you charging into your organization giddy about the contribution you get to make? Are you passionately engaging everything with everything you have? Are you building and bolstering your energy every day?
Let this article be the fuel of motivation that ignites YOUR mighty, internal engine of energy!
Igniting Energy … Tim
by Tim Hooper | Jun 12, 2018 | Igniting Energy
Give your energy demands and those of your team a cleanup. Free up some random access memory (aka RAM). Start engaging everything with all of your might, but to do this, we’ll have to eliminate the complexity that comes with uncertainty and procrastination. We have super creative minds – they’re amazing and beautiful. Often, though, we overcomplicate simple “yes” and “no” answers. Ask yourself. “Can I get my heart completely on board with this?” If not, ask, “Why not?” If that why not is true and proves misalignment with your goals, then it’s an easy “no.”
In our workplaces, most would appreciate an employee or staff member who just carries out and obeys commands, right? However, one of the best questions anyone can ask a manager, employer or leader is, “Why are we doing this?” Too often, a WHY question is seen as a threat and a retort is given without really answering and instilling the same belief and insight from the leaders’ heart into those following.
Great leaders, encourage WHY questions. This is quickest and surest way to inspire enthusiasm in your team and garner their conviction!
This will free your teams’ RAM by enabling them to put their all into what it is you’re asking of them. Of course, this demands a thorough understanding and belief of the WHY ourselves. When we don’t make time to distill and instill the reason – our WHY – we miss the truest nugget of gold any leader really possesses. Clear utterance of our WHY demands the hard work of thought and clarity.
Leaders who adopt the Energy Equation and put all their might into their work of instilling the WHY, will in turn enable their followers to throw all their heart and might into achieving the goal! Free up RAM by dumping what you’re half-heartedly believing in; invest all your energies into those things in which you believe whole-heartedly in.
igniting energy … Tim
have you pre ordered your copy of Got Energy? yet
P.S. Regarding stray thoughts and ideas, have a standard operating procedure for getting them off your mind so you can stay focused. I have this practice of texting myself great ideas and going back through at the end of the week to see if anything stuck, resonates or is something I should apply or follow-up on. Text, email, write, chicken-scratch, Evernote, or voice-record it so that you can data-dump and keep RAM freed up. Then, have a routine time to reflect and journal. Your mind will understand, and will begin loving your habit and ease up on you. When your mind knows you will make the time to listen to it, it will settle down a little bit for you. Have this routine so that you’re less stressed and can attack what you’re working on with everything you’ve got!
by Tim Hooper | Jul 6, 2017 | Blog
Affirmations are powerful in a couple of ways. Not only do they affirm something – like their name indicates, they can also be used to overcome fear and past hurts, replace negative voices or limiting self talk, and also stretch one’s faith and vision!
Affirmations are fun to create and can be uniquely customized around what you’re going to conquer for the day. Remember three important aspects as you train your mind to affirm your vision and goals:
- Positive – always write in a positive tone. Instead of writing “There is too much negative in the world, I’ll try not to be negative today,” you can write it like, “Today, I’m turning up the light; my positive vibes are attracting positive people and things.” The absence of negative in your affirmation is teaching your mind what to focus on and what to shut out.
- Personal – keep them personal. Say them in the first person; they are your affirmations and not just general statements or quotes. Your subconscious mind will listen up when you address yourself; and, the same phenomenal mind can only answer, “Yes!” More on that later.
- Present – write them and say them in the present tense. That’s right. Put your mind on the lookout for them right away. Also, watch how you start turning doubt to faith. When you say, “I am going to do…” your mind is waiting for a date and time. Without this, there is no decision. When you state, “I am doing…” your mind says, “Oh, I am? … Sure, let me start right away on that…” See the difference? Today, is also a great starter word for an affirmation.
Your affirmations don’t have to be perfect and no one is grading you on this, so let go of those fears. Just start and you’ll get better and bolder as time goes on. What do you have to lose? Take a minute to create and share one in the comments. Here’s mine for today:
“Today, I’m planting good seeds! Every thought, prayer and action WILL be reaped – sometimes immediately; most times at a future date. My life is a field of the best and most fertile soil; I’m the farmer. It’s understanding this irrefutable principle that causes me to plant with more fervor than ever before! I WILL reap if I simply keep planting.”
igniting energy … tim
by Tim Hooper | Mar 10, 2017 | Igniting Energy
Have you heard the proverb, “The dew drop is the ant’s flood”?
It’s all about perspective!
Perspective is a powerful word! Synonymous to mindset and attitude, your perspective defines your point of view – the way you look at life.
Changing your perspective can literally change your life!
Out walking with the kids yesterday, we were just about to peak a small hill in the road when I shouted, “Grass!” Grass is our code-word for stepping off the asphalt into the grass and waiting for daddy due to an automobile sighting.
My son, eager to keep running, steps into the grass and quickly replies, “Daddy, there’s no car…may I run again?” As I caught up, we squatted there together in a “wait for it…wait for it” moment. Then, there it was coming over the rise – a car.
Why spend the time telling a simple story? Here’s why.
My six-foot height versus Jeremy’s three-and-half foot height made all the difference when it came to that hill.
Similarly, a slight change in perspective can shift your entire purpose and motivation in life.
A plane ride will change your perspective pretty quickly. Seriously! We spend thousands of dollars on a speck of real estate? Well, it’s all about how you look at things.
Everyone sees things at different perspectives! How is your perspective on life?
What meaning and purpose do you find in your life? Constantly seek to gain a little better perspective. Welcome different perspectives!
Change your perspective and literally change your entire life dynamic!
igniting energy…tim
by Tim Hooper | Mar 3, 2017 | Igniting Energy
What’s the first thing you do when you walk into a dark room? You turn on the light switch. Deciding to stumble around and feel your way through would be senseless in most cases.
Consider sitting behind the wheel of your car. Until you turn the key in the ignition, that powerful V-6 (or VVT-i 4-cylinder) engine won’t do you a ton of good.
See, our energy works much the same way. It’s stored up waiting to be switched on. We can read all the motivation and know exactly what we should be doing to grow in life, but until we make the choice to make a move, we lie dormant.
I’ve watched team members trudge in to work on Monday, but as soon as Friday arrived, they were charging for the door. Energy switched “ON” at 4 p.m. Friday! What? Yes, our corporations are filled with employees showing up, but not truly engaging.
Many powerful warriors sit on the sidelines of their homes, their churches and their communities for various reasons. Perhaps they truly lack physical energy. Maybe the thought of what will happen (success or failure) paralyzes them. Maybe they don’t believe their leadership role is that important or has a significant impact on others. Maybe they don’t know how or where to begin and “elephant-sized” anxiety overwhelms them.
To switch energy and passion on in our lives, we have to make a mental choice to activate. Attend the meeting and sit on the edge of your seat. Take ownership of a task. Take notes. Give feedback. Engage. Pick up the phone and call someone just to say, “I love you.” Smile. High five some random person. Make energy happen inside so it can flow outside. Ignite your energy and show up with your best! Give your best!
When you get home for the evening, take five minutes to write your notes, finish social posts or call a client back. But baby, when you step in that door, get yourself a big glass of water and switch that energy right back on for your best clients – that wife and kid(s). Play, cheer them on, listen to them recount their day, ooh-and-aah over their homework and be fully present. This is switching on your energy!
Just like pushing yourself in the gym, you’re often surprised at your own strength. Start asking more of your energy reserves and you’ll be surprised how much engagement and passion is stored up inside. Believe in others and know that by showing up with energy for them, you make lasting impact!
Switch it on! Let it flow.
igniting energy…tim
