Energy can neither be created nor destroyed

If something reduces the system's capacity to produce energy, there will be a gap between the available energy and the energy required for constant cell renewal in each tissue and organ.

When it comes to performance and specifically in the coperate world, there is often times a belief that energy is a currency that is unlimited. That no matter how hard you push, there is still plenty available, and that even running on fumes is a sustainable fuel source. It is however a universal truth that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. The amount of energy in the world is constant. 

We can look at energy from a physical or anatomical perspective. That energy used, in the form of calories, must match the amount of energy we apply to our system. 

There is an energy demand that must be supplied to support our energy production, our organs activity, the hearts ability to pump and control our blood flow. The energy must support breathing activities, macro nutrient breakdown, enzyme production and repair of tissue, and most importantly support our brain.

What happens when energy demands are not supported ?

The human organism is remarkable because it can adapt in very advanced ways. We can go for days without fuel. But because we still need to support our organs, cells, brain, etc, we will create energy from the resources we have available within. That is where many high performers get it wrong. They think that because they can, it is an argument for continuation of the practice. If it have worked so far it must be disproving the hypothesis of energy needs.

But nature will always try to find a way. There is a big difference between thriving and surviving. Don't have enough energy for your demands ? Ok, let's break down tissue to provide amino acids that we can convert to glucose. Let's put repair on hold and focus on the most important organ systems to keep you alive. 

Don't have enough glucose to provide brain and cells with sufficient material to produce ATP? No problem, we just activates the stress response back up system to regulate your blood sugar.

But energy is also exchanged in human interactions

When we communicate with people around us, that being colleagues, customers, friends, or family, we still exchange energy. Our awareness of what is going on within ourselves, and the skills to bring that awareness into our consciousness and apply a appropriate cognitive response, is also an exchange of energy.

We can be un aware of how we communicate with the people around us, and by that, not allowing for an exchange. 

Many times I talk to employees that feel they are not being seen. That they are not being listened to. That they do not dare to fully express their true needs in front of peers or senior management. That fear of the consequences hold them back.

Energy, must go somewhere. So the more we lack psychological safety at work, the more we will let that energy out on the people we trust. The people that we feel the most safe with. 

Consider your energy as a resource that you must protect

Not in a "I will not give anything to anyone" approach, but with the consciousness of exchanging. That for us to give we must also receive. That we cant continue draining our own resources in order to satisfy the people around us that do not wish to contribute. If you feel drained and exhausted at times, then be mindful of the resources you have available and the resources you spend. 

Energy is not unlimited, Energy is a constant. It is not possible to create it. We can only absorb it and pass it on.