What Do I Really Mean When I Talk About Energy?

When you say the word “Energy,” some people automatically think of physical energy, like waking up early or staying up late. Others might consider it a bit woo-woo. But energy is really about how you choose to see things, how you show up, and how that impacts you and those around you.

I trained with iPEC as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI MP) for this exact reason. I truly believe energy is behind everything we do.

Understanding Energy

Before I explain what energy is, I must be clear: there is no good or bad energy.

Imagine you have two pairs of glasses, each with different coloured lenses. If you wear the blue-lens glasses, everything appears blue. If you wear the red ones, everything looks red. This choice affects how you view the world and how you approach various situations.

Your perspective impacts how you show up, what you think, say, and do. I firmly believe that what you put out is what you get back.

The Two Main Types of Energy

There are two main types of energy:

Catabolic Energy

Catabolic energy drains you and takes away from your well-being. It usually shows up when you're under stress. This energy is driven by cortisol and adrenaline, making it unsustainable in the long term.

Benefits:

It can be beneficial in emergencies, conflicts, or when you're under pressure.

Impact:

However, it is draining and can negatively affect your stress levels and health. This energy radiates from you to those around you, showing up in various ways in your body.

Anabolic Energy

Anabolic energy, on the other hand, is constructive and expansive. It’s the feeling you experience when you're calm, relaxed, and open to new possibilities.

Benefits:

You can maintain this energy level more easily, and it’s far more rewarding. You begin to see more options and opportunities, enjoying experiences more fully.

Impact:

This energy creates a lighter sense of being and increases your awareness. You enjoy life more, and this has a positive ripple effect on those around you.

This isn’t about good or bad energy—catabolic isn’t bad, and anabolic isn’t good. Both types of energy have their uses at the right time and place, along with their pros and cons. The key is awareness and understanding how long you spend at each level.

Beyond the Two Types: The Seven Levels of Energy

So, is that it? Just two types of energy? Not quite. Catabolic and anabolic are the two main categories, but there are seven levels of energy that fall within these categories. The real difference lies in awareness and choice.

I’ll delve into these levels in detail another time, but here’s an overview of each level to help you start building awareness and identify them in your life.

Level 1 (Catabolic)

Feelings of powerlessness dominate this level. You may feel like nothing is in your control, leading to fear, worry, overthinking, and self-doubt.

Level 2 (Catabolic)

At this level, you experience conflict, competition, and anger. You focus on controlling things and often see the world in black and white.

Level 3 (Anabolic)

Here, you begin to see things logically. You may suppress emotions and adopt coping mechanisms, accepting that “it is what it is.”

Level 4 (Anabolic)

Compassion for others becomes prominent. You want to help others more than yourself and are willing to collaborate and work as a team.

Level 5 (Anabolic)

You seek opportunities in everything. Optimism guides you, and you look for solutions that benefit everyone. You remain calm and collected.

Level 6 (Anabolic)

At this level, you experience a strong sense of connection. You enjoy the moment and feel satisfaction and joy.

Level 7 (Anabolic)

This is a state of enlightenment. You experience no judgment, fearlessness, and wisdom.

Remember, there is no good or bad energy. Each energy level has its pros and cons. It’s not about which energy level you experience; it’s about how long you stay in that energy level.

The iPEC Energy Leadership™ Framework

The iPEC Energy Leadership™ framework allows us to be more aware of our energy, measure it, and recognise how it serves us. There’s so much more to explore around these energy levels, how you’re impacted by internal and external factors, triggers, and how each energy level shows up for you.

The Energy Leadership Index (ELI)

The Energy Leadership Assessment measures your energy levels on a typical day and under stress. Curious to understand your energy levels? Get in touch to book an Energy Leadership Index Assessment and personalised debrief.

By understanding these concepts, we can navigate complex challenges more effectively. Embracing the idea that energy is neither good nor bad can empower us to make better decisions and achieve sustainable growth. So, how will you choose to show up today?