In Parts 1 and 2, we discussed catabolic energy, and now let’s move into where it’s great to spend our time: Anabolic Energy!

Level 3 begins the first anabolic level of energy.  At this level, even though people might feel at times that life isn’t exactly how they planned, and some of this may be another person’s fault, they can still forgive that person, and can even justify their personal self-blame as a coping mechanism.  In relationships, they may try to fix another person.  The general thought at this level is that you are winning the game and that if others win, great.  A leader at this level might motivate herself and others by explaining away stress-inducing situations in order to garner cooperation with employees. At this level, a coach will challenge a client’s interpretations about life events, will look at judgments, and dig deep through a process we call laser coaching.

Level 4 energy opens us to help others.  People experiencing Level 4 tend to be sensitive.  At this level, they begin to understand that they do not need to take things personally, and begin to feel deeply for others.  They wish to be “fixers” which can lead to frustration when someone they deeply care about cannot be fixed; but at Level 4, the desire is to help, not to control. It’s about giving assistance to a world in pain.  A coach will work to shift a client to a more win-win scenario in life events.

The Level 5 experience is full of opportunities.  Instead of laboring to fix others, the world abounds with challenges to be turned around intelligently.  There is a strong understanding and acceptance of the differences in all of us.  Instead of focusing on what is good or bad, it becomes evident that things “just are.”  Leaders in Level 5 are calm and exhibit self control.  They give those they lead opportunities to find their own best solutions and to run with them.  They look for the win-win as the ideal solution and do not focus on the past.  At this Level, the coach might strategize with the client on techniques to keep the energy level high, reducing dipping into lower energy habits.

Level 6 sets intuition free. Visionaries tap frequently into this energy and carry with them the “we always win” attitude.  This is a joyful place, full of creativity and productivity.  Leaders at this level find their power in partnerships, and are often entrepreneurs who do not define themselves by their work, and feel tapped into the Universe and unfettered.

Level 7 is akin to living within an energetic hologram.  Creation, experience, and observation occur simultaneously.  It is a place of pure passion, completely free of judgment.  Level 7 energy sees winning and losing as an illusion.  Life is a grand experiment.  People who tap into Level 7 are powerful.  At this level, a coach will simply work with a client to stay at this level as much as the client desires.

How we move between levels on a daily basis depends on our past experiences, our current situations, and how freely we change our perspectives.  Many iPEC coaches are trained to help you find your unique energy signature through the use of the Energy Leadership Assessment.  Once completed in the privacy of your home, it becomes a tool to customize your coaching experience and move you to higher states of energetic relationship with your environment.  It can help you to recognize patterns that are not working for you, and to create alternatives that move you toward a happier life, whether in business relationships or at home.  A coach’s goal is to help you increase your satisfaction in life.  My goal is to raise awareness one person at a time and lift the anabolic energy of the earth.  This anabolic coach believes it can be done!

Come join me in an amazing adventure!

Coach Leona
630-723-4478

In Part 1, I defined catabolism and anabolism in relation to our consciousness, or awareness.  I would like to insert some positive comments about these lower levels of energy before we move on to the anabolic levels.  First of all, while I stated that Level 1 feels bad, as we become more conscious of how we are doing business in life and of the control we can develop to independently shift ourselves to anabolic states, we can benefit on occasions by shifting back to lower energy levels in response to stressors.  It’s just that we become aware that we don’t have to STAY there and are able to move. 

Plug yourself into these scenarios.  Let’s say that you mostly resonate at a level 4 or 5 energy (this will be discussed in Part 3) during the day.  You are feeling really productive, as though your influence in the world is positive, and life is good.  Then – WHAMMO! – you get a cold that won’t go away.  You feel bad.  Your nose is sore, you are hoarse from coughing, you have a fever.  All you really want is to go to bed. You dip into Level 1 energy.  But there is a payoff now.  Your partner comes to you with consoling words, hot tea, a warm blanket, and an offer to take over your household duties so you can rest.  Now you are feeling taken care of, and this feels good – already your energy is shifting back to a more catabolic state.  Plus, a brief trip to Level 1 brought out the best in another person you love, strengthening your bond.

Or take Level 2.  You are happy in your Level 4 or 5 state of consciousness, doing good things for the world, feeling powerful, when WHAMMO! – you read a Facebook page that is a plea to find a dog lost by a professional transporter.  How can a professional transporter be so stupid as to lose this beautiful, innocent puppy, someone’s beloved pet, you wonder?  You dip into Level 2, because this is just plain wrong and something must be done immediately to find her.   Your energy begins to flame, and now you are spurred to action.  You may be operating in Level 2, your angry place for only a moment, but you can still feel the burn to make the transporter pay for his mistake.  And as your thoughts are reeling with the injustice of it all, you rapidly shift into a higher state of awareness because now you are supporting pet-owners who are probably frantic, and this new alliance feels good.  You have returned to an anabolic state.

So yes, under stress, we may default into lower energy levels, but we can use them to move us to action as long as we aren’t mired there.  All levels and how we move through them whether relaxed or under stress, make us markedly human, and each of us is a complex and unique being striving for homeostasis.

I welcome you to follow up with Part 3 – Shifting into Anabolic Energy – where I will describe Levels 3-7, and you will be able to see for yourself that you fluctuate within these levels on a daily basis, and you have power to control how you show up in the world energetically.  See you there, because life just gets better when you become more conscious!

Shifting upward,

Coach Leona

In biology, catabolism is an energetic process of breaking down, from the molecular level on out, to affect an entire organism.  Conversely, anabolism is the building up of an organism.  The terms can also be applied to the human as a thinking, feeling, belief-driven organism that reacts to internal and external stimuli.  The body will attempt to maintain homeostasis – that is, to keep itself in a balanced anabolic state – however, catabolic thoughts can have a profound effect on not only physical, but, mental and emotional health as well.   Anyone interested in wellness should take note.

Our consciousness (awareness) and unconsciousness (our repeating patterns to which we become blind) generate energy.  In the case of catabolic energy, repeating a learned behavior in this range can result in disease, poor relationships, depression, anger, and general angst about life.  Becoming aware of what drives us on an unconscious level can allow us to shift to an anabolic state to bring about healing and an improvement in satisfaction with life.  Sometimes we get stuck in our unconscious processes and need a little help to open our awareness.  This is when a coach can serve as a facilitating partner in the sustainable process of growth. 

Of the seven levels of consciousness as taught by iPEC (Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching), at the base is Level 1.  Emotionally, Level 1 is catabolic, and it feels bad.  It is described by some as a state of hopelessness, and in this state, people might present as depressed and lack engagement with other people and activities.  Those predominantly experiencing this level might feel like “losers” – people who just can’t dig themselves out of a hole that either they dug or someone pushed them into.  They may be living in a fog and feel controlled by people and events around them, truly powerless and victimized.  The first step to crawling out of this level and shifting consciousness is to actively develop an awareness of how this presents in important aspects of life: work, family, and social contacts.  With an iPEC coach asking questions and validating the individual, a client is able to name these feelings and the possible reasons behind them to shift into a more energetic state.

Level 2, while still catabolic, moves a person to a higher level of consciousness.  Now there is more energy to actually set a person to action.  Level Two is the conflict level.  People exhibiting a lot of Level 2 energy may appear angry, be full of defiance, and may treat life as though it is a struggle.  Leaders operating at this level often get results through force or coercion.  They might be seen as control freaks.  This catabolic energy is exhausting to the leader and everyone around.  Coworkers generally do not trust or admire leaders with this predominant style of leadership.  Living in Level 2 energy is a challenge to change, but a coach is invaluable in guiding those experiencing a lot of Level 2 energy to name and reframe the events that cause the emotions surrounding them.

Shifting into Level 3 begins the anabolic energy process, but before we go there, in Part 2 of this 3-part series of posts – The Benefits of Catabolic Energy – I will show how, once familiar with higher levels of consciousness, we can shift back into catabolic energy briefly to increase opportunities for self-care and bonding, as well as finding the fire to get things done.  You might say from a higher level, “It’s all good.” I invite you to meet me in Part 2!

Working the energy,

Coach Leona

Let’s play a little game.

What does this list of words or phrases have in common?

Enthusiasm
Force
Drive
Get-up-and-go
Juice
Strength
Vitality
Sparkle
Vigor
Light
Liveliness
Joules
Spirit
Power

Hint:  They are synonyms for a word we wish we had more of.

Got it yet?

The answer is . . . 

ENERGY!

The word ENERGY (en=in, ergon=work) can be defined, in general, as the capacity of a system to work, or as relating to humans, the physical and mental strength to do things with natural enthusiasm and sustained effort.

If you have designed a web page, you know that fonts convey their own energies.  For example, serif fonts are faster to read and can increase comprehension.  Those fonts that are disfluent and difficult to read can hinder comprehension and can lead to lack of enthusiasm.

Car color and design combinations also indicate a level of energy with which car owners like to identify.  Red is outgoing and sensual, especially on a Ferrari California.  Or take the green Dodge Dart, which is simple, understated, and more closely resembles someone who enjoys a slower earthy rhythm.

As complex human organisms, we all exhibit different levels of energy throughout the day.  Sometimes illness causes us to hunker down, as it seems we need to conserve our low energy reserves.  Other times, the excitement of an energy-inducing activity such as exercise or time spent with fun people, increases our energy output.  Perhaps at the end of a high-energy, but stressful day, we wish to consciously scale the energy down so that a refreshing night’s sleep will be possible.

If you have been complaining that you just don’t feel the joy in living, you are likely struggling with lower energy levels.  As a professional life coach, I work with people to raise their energy levels to increase satisfaction in life.  The process involves digging deeply into the habits, assumptions,  and perceptions that keep us locked in a mental and emotional cage.  Challenging thinking patterns, brainstorming, and feeling it all in the safety of a partner/coach, can make the difference between moving numbly day to day through the motions and facing each day as an adventure filled with possibilities.

Let me show you how to raise and sustain your energy for a lifetime of joy.  I am just a call away.  Or if you are not already on my website, visit me at nextpagecoaching.com for more tips and information about what I can do for you.

Sparkling energetically,
Coach Leona
630-723-4478