Without our ability to be in ideation flow or in our space where we find ourselves the most creative, we will cease to be relevant. In order to compete in a world that constantly shifts and moves, in our moments of creativity we have to be completely able to be efficient. We have to be able to focus as much as possible.
Last week I posted part one of this and told you I would be back with part 2. Here we are. Part 2 is really about training our mental energy to remain focused and completely in the space of ideation at the same time. Not an easy task when distractions are clamoring for your affection daily.
This cornerstone habit lies in how great we are at using our mental energy. I’ve been put on blast by friends, family, and co-workers for my completely over the top optimistic outlooks. Most of the time unrealistic. This is an example of mental energy being used as a catalyst. Its realistic optimism to me and keeps my sights on the target of what’s possible. Even when “fit” hits the “shan.”
I’m not saying to not deal with the negative situations or inevitable challenges when they crop up. I’m saying come face to face with them. Accept them. But, then move on. Don’t ruminate or linger. You as well as I can learn from the mistakes. We can become better because of them. A great use of mental energy to help you reach a breakthrough moment.
Why do our greatest and best ideas come to us in moments when we are not working? When we’re trying to go to bed, during meditation, or while we’re in the shower the epiphany comes to us. Understanding how our brain works can help. Creativity requires the work of the brain’s two hemispheres. When you’re working, you’re overworking your brain trying to be creative. It’s at rest we can get the most clear idea of our creativity’s fullest capacity.
Once we’re quiet enough we need to understand how to live and work at full engagement. This requires finding the bread crumbs to a positive and very intrinsically motivating purpose. Our search for meaning in our lives across all spectrums is something we come to learn from birth. A sense of purpose is the perfect motivator and catalyst for the mental energy you need to stay focused.
A corner stone purpose must be positive, intrinsically motivating, and completely anchored in something completely beyond self-interest or selfish desires. Connecting to our deepest values is jet fuel that gives combustion to our lives purpose. We have to locate our intrinsic worth with little more work. Your values are a perfect blue print to start with.
To find these values you have to get in touch with what really matters most to you. My drive and value comes from helping you as the reader become better versions of yourselves. I don’t get paid to get these up weekly. My podcast is not monetized. That’s not where I find value. It’s a grind, but my fuel is knowing that one person will encounter one of my stories or learns and it will be all they need to achieve their optimal selves.
Some values I’ve heard shared with me from others:
- Unity
- Family
- Respect and Kindness Towards Others
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Health
Values are your guide posts and help you spend your mental energy in the right place. If you find you’re spending it on the wrong things, it’s time to reassess. When we aren’t guided by our values they are the wrong values. Continuing to follow them will make everything meaningless.
Creating a vision statement and really sitting down to lean into all that it means to you is a great place to come to terms with your values. Once anchored, reminding yourself of your values every day will tell you where to invest your energy. Distractions won’t get the best of you any more because they won’t align. What doesn’t align you will stay away from.
Facing your truth, good or bad, will also increase your positive mental energy to achieve focus and full engagement. Avoiding them in hopes to avoid the pain that comes with negative emotions in the long run is a engagement suck. It’s where distractions love to come in and just set up shop in your head. Avoiding our truth consumes incredible amounts of energy trying to keep it at bay. Being open to it, whatever that truth is helps us build up a storehouse of positive energy reserve.
Self-criticism is one of the toughest distractions that I find myself sucked into. My viewpoint is one of many. It’s not always going to be the best as I strive to help others unlock their full potential. Adopting this approach however has allowed me to learn from others. Adopting their work. Adapting their work to my values. Ultimately creating the map I need to reach breakthrough.
If you want to be fully engaged in whatever it is you’re going after, you have to actively build your energy reserves to overcome the absolute peaks. Building larger energy capacities in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual storehouses requires us to approach it intelligently.
Thanks for hanging through the 2 parter. Hope you’re week is going well. Love any feedback you have about me breaking this up. It was a long one. Thanks again for reading!
✌🏻 Shawn
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