The Necessity of People's Energy

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Businesses run because of productivity. Productivity on different departments creates a smooth flow of operation. Productivity on different levels of organization creates harmony towards directions and commands that leads to better - best people performance. Productivity doesn't rely on machines, it rely on people. So what are the most essential commodity towards productivity? It is TIME and ENERGY.


TIME - for the longest time managers/ business owners/ leaders say that it is the most important substance towards success, time. Time is infinite, it will never end, even if the world cease to exist, time will still be there. Timing, on the other hand, is the preparedness of grasping an opportunity when it present itself. Most people believe that if it isn't the right time, regardless how ready you are, success won't be achieved. This is always a case-to-case basis.


I would like to give emphasis more on ENERGY - the capacity to do work or exert power. Like what has stated above, time is either finite or infinite but energy is renewable. Once the opportunity present itself but the person doesn't have enough to grab it, opportunity was usually wasted. Energy creates activities, performing activities (work/ duty /responsibility/ task-whichever you like) pushes you further up towards accomplishing a goal. Finishing your tasks creates preparedness, and being prepared creates opportunity upon reaching your goal and even the company's goal. It most of the time generate opportunities. So the question is, do you still have energy?


It is vital for the management and even the employees to know the importance of energy. Machines have routine maintenance. People, most especially, is in dire need of rest and relaxation. It is the key to attain renewable energy. Here are the essential sources of energy:




1. Physical energy

We can achieve this through:  Quality and quantity of sleep Appropriate nutrition to ensure balanced blood sugar levels thought the day. It isn’t possible to be productive and perform well with low blood sugar. It is also impossible to even think with very low blood sugar levels as it literally leaves you feeling ‘brain-dead’. Appropriate nutrition refers to managing your insulin spikes and choosing fresh, enzyme-rich foods as the best fuel for your physical body (your engine).

The right exercise (this does not mean excessive cardio!). In fact, short, intense exercise if far more beneficial and achievable.
Short bursts of rest in between rushing around or performing endless tasks around the house or work is also far more productive. Think of yourself as a ‘corporate athlete’ where you sprint and recover instead of working all day long without regular breaks. Power rests can be anywhere from one to five minutes, provided you totally disengage from your activity.

2. Emotional energy (emotional connection)

In order to perform at our best, we need to access our positive and uplifting emotions such as enjoyment, adventure, opportunity, challenge and inspiration. Appreciating others and, in turn, feeling appreciated is the key here.
When we dwell on negative emotions, such as hostility, resentment or anxiety, the quality of our energy is hugely diminished. Over time, running on negative emotional energy at work or in any other area of life is a huge energy drain, which leads to chronic tiredness, perhaps even Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

This is because emotions that arise out of fear or deficit or which threaten our survival in any way, produce an extremely toxic effect by stimulating the adrenal glands to release cortisol (the stress hormone). In small amounts, cortisol is beneficial but when it pumps into the bloodstream for too long, it leaves a trail of destruction and eats away at muscle tissue.

3. Mental energy (mental focus)

Any way of quietening the mind and its constant chitchat, such as ‘effortless’ meditation technique or activities that focus on the breath like Qi Gong, allows us to renew our mental energy. Renewing our mental energy makes us far more intelligent and productive in the long run.

To perform at our best, we also need to sustain concentration and be flexible in our thinking, with appropriate focus and realistic optimism. Regularly engaging in creative visualisations enhances the mental flow of energy.

Mental capacity is also derived from expending and renewing energy. In practical terms, if we spend too much time in overthinking, over-analysing or focusing heavily on practical outcomes, we are not allowing for creative possibilities and new ways of thinking or experiencing to occur. And, of course, if we adopt this approach habitually, it can lead to boredom, which can create a very destructive outcome.

4. Spiritual energy (knowing your purpose/path)

Spiritual energy aligns our actions, motivations and ambitions and as a result we feel more alive, engaged, connected and able to judge our next step more clearly. At this level, we are also able to access and use our innate gifts and talents creating an awesome sense of having ‘energy on tap’.

Just as nature has its own natural pulses and rhythms, such as the daily rising and setting of the sun, we also experience wave-like movements between activity and rest. Daily rest and renewal is the key to balancing all four sources of energy. If we can achieve a balance of being physically energised, emotionally connected, mentally focused and spiritually aligned, we are well on the way to optimal health and inner happiness.

OLD PARADIGM	NEW PARADIGM
Time management	Energy management
Avoid stress	Seek stress and train for recovery
Life is a marathon	Life is a series of sprints
The power of positive thinking	The power of full Engagement (by using the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sources of energy combined)
Downtime is a waste of time	Downtime is productive time
Time is finite	Energy is renewable
Time is outside of us	Energy is inside of us

So if you are an employee who doesn't value your energy, you became a liability in your company, a thin string that will break sooner without you knowing it. Worst is if you are a manager who pushes your employees towards the limits of their health, creating a hazardous working environment, like a corporate terrorist working inside while planting bombs of weary employees inside the company because of a fanatic, crooked view of efficiency and productivity, a hindrance towards success. Everybody needs a time off. It heals physical, intellectual and emotional pains and helps regenerate energy. Vacation is still a quality time.

(4 key sources of energy and the paradigm table from addicted2success.com)

A True Office Story

(from http://beyondlean.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dilbert-jan71997-sunday-strip.gif)

Want to boost your people's productivity? Here are some of the words a manager can say:

"How can you all be so productive when you are all slacking? You, yes you, you are always late, it is like you've took a half day off. While you are always absent, either you're not feeling well or there's an emergency. You are here, yes, but we are not paying just your body to be here, we need you and your thoughts intact. Don't make any excuses."

"We need concepts and activities to meet our targets. You haven't done a proposal yet, we need it to be done by weekend. Everything must go through me so everything's checked and that nothing can go wrong. No slacking, and also no overspending."

Lastly...

"Everyone, may I have your attention please. I think you are abusing me. Abusing me is also abusing our company. Do not go easy on work because the company doesn't have an "easy time" finding money to pay for your salaries. This is not a picnic. This is a very competitive office within a competitive company."

So okay... now we have just read some of the words that may comes out of a "manager's" mouth.

So here are some "possible" actual facts:

1) They are late because they were asked to stay late the night before.
2) They are absent (body and mind or mind only) because the work is physically tolling and they were not being pushed to the limit but being stretched out to their breaking point.
3) Yes, they have emergencies, a positive way to look at it is that those are personal emergency, do not wait for their emergency to happen because of you.
4) Slacking? Oh well, maybe they aren't slacking, they might be exhausted. Have you checked? When is the last time these people have breathe and taken care of their responsibilities to their selves? I bet the company payed for their skills, talents, and dedication, but definitely not for their life.
5) It is their issue when they do not have anything good for the company, but it will be of the manager's if they submitted but keep on putting your stuff instead because of the great idea you have, shoving aside whatever juice that they squeezes from their mind. If that's what's happening, you are just wasting your time and your employees time.
6) What activities can they do if you keep on hacking the budget? You have approved the proposal, it is assumed you have checked it, so why not give what it's due? Anyways, they were audited and the result would be more money for the company. You buy cheap, you get cheap, what would you expect?
7) There are managers who were abused, but that is not always the case. If so, there are managers that repeatedly abuse their employees. Dig deep inside you and ask which one are you?
8) Managers are not the company. The company has it's core values. Sadly, most people who manages the company lacks them. For example, most companies are family-oriented, sadly most of their employees rarely talked, spent time or even see their families.
9) If the company has a day off, the employees should have one too? Even God asks for an hour a week, how come a manager don't consider that to the mere mortals?
10) Yes an office is not a place for picnic, it is a competitive and productive place, but it isn't hell.

Sometimes the best way is not to speak of condemnation or promises. The mere fact that a manger reaches down to he's employees, listening about their office condition and how they fare in work will let enable you to repair the damages while on it's early stage. Glasses break, so did the employees, everybody needs a break. They also needed to be well acquainted with each other, feel comfortable, not just they knew each other because they were working on the same office. We know that employees' productivity reflect on the manager. Instead of asking what are they not doing, ask yourself "what am I not doing FOR THEM?" A glass half-filled with water is not just half filled glass of water, it is also half empty.

Going Gaga On Catholicism

First and foremost I would like to say that I am Catholic and not actually a fan of Lady Gaga. But it doesn't mean that since I am a Catholic I despise the above mentioned. I am a Catholic that's why I respect everybody's uniqueness and opinion. Even Christ respected the Gentiles. So why can't I respect Lady Gaga.

For half my life I served faithfully at a small chapel and a parish in our place, I am a sacristan. I actually wanted to become a priest but life has it's ways of making things different and maybe even God blessed my chosen path, only He knows. I heard, correct me if I'm wrong, that Lady Gaga was once a choir member. She was even asked by Larry King about her religious view/s... check this link for the clip



Now, would a religious person do what she's doing? Exactly, NO... but really, YES. NO, no one has the same kind and level of faith as the other, only the Lord knows how much our love shows. YES we are the same in the sense that we all have our religious freedom to express guided by the norms that carried us through our life, YES because we are all unique and we are all worshiping depending on our humanity. I personally do not know her so I can't vouch for her. But what I've learned and deeply engraved into my soul is that no person on earth has the right to lay judgment to anyone regarding how that someone live his/her life for it is only God has the power to separate the sheep from the goat.

Everybody has their own interpretation of everything. For example, if somebody voluntarily help, other's perceived that as noble act while some see it as a capricious show. I recently read the Lyrics of the song JUDAS.. here is the lyrics if you don't mind:

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA

When he comes to me I am ready I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain Even after three times he betrays me

I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down A king with no crown, king with no crown

[Chorus] I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA

I couldn’t love a man so purely Even prophets forgave his crooked way I’ve learned love is like a brick you can Build a house or sink a dead body

I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down A king with no crown, king with no crown

[Chorus] I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

[Bridge] Ew In the most Biblical sense, I am beyond repentance Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind But in the cultural sense I just speak in future tense Judas, kiss me if offenced, Or wear an ear condom next time

I wanna love you, But something’s pulling me away from you Jesus is my virtue, Judas is the demon I cling to I cling to

[Chorus] I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Ohohohoh I’m in love with Judas

Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA

And even watched it's music video for reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wagn8Wrmzuc&ob=av2e

As much as I want to type down my interpretation to every line, I would just narrow it to this conclusions. Again, this is my own perception of the song and I wish it may somewhat be similar to what Lady Gaga means.

1) It is a song written by a man who is a self confess sinner as to how much she loves Judas (an attachment to being a man committing sin/ an act of betrayal towards God's love).
2) It is a song that shows the first element of penance: admitting the sinful act. And Seeking for patience and forgiveness from the Lord.
3) In the music video, there is a character with a crown of thorns, Lady gaga, and the so-called Judas, were all together inside the bath tub with water. For me the act that lady Gaga is more like clamoring for the affection of the man with a crown of thorns while Judas is like mocking her from behind is an act that we as humans were seeking God's forgiveness and understanding that we cannot guarantee that we will never sin again, thus we are human (for men are weak and seeking for redemption is what makes us human). The water symbolizes the purification of man with God's sanctifying grace.
4) We are all have goodness in our hearts thus "Jesus is my virtue", but weak which makes us "Judas is the demon I cling to".
5) The song is an inner struggle of a man seeking for salvation and the demon that lurks in our daily living.

The concert is done and the protesters act does not stop her from performing. It only gave her free marketing and promotions. It works for her while it makes the Catholic Church negative and outdated. The problem that every religious sector is facing is the consequences of the act done by a sub-group within the Church that was being used as a leverage by the people outside the institution on defining the totality of the whole sector. For years, decades and maybe centuries, I think, Catholics forgot how to be a real Catholic. Catholics do not blame, we educate. Catholics does not persecute, we understand and forgive. Catholics are open minded and free, we accept people regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, and even everybody's uniqueness. Catholics do not hate, we do not blame, we only love.

We forgot our duty is not to persecute but to understand. By understanding we could see what really is right and what exactly is wrong. We cannot judge a person on how she dresses up, how she speaks, and what she believes. If something is quite different and you're not at ease with it, it is our obligation know the reason why that is different, not to degrade or humiliate a person for their uniqueness. I bet nobody wanted to be labelled as evil or bad influence. She is different, our kids adore her, so far she doesn't even commit any criminal act nor say degrading messages. She is outrageously dressed, so what?! We can explain it to the kids that "she looks sexy 'no? But would you like for people to see your butt cheek?" I do not know and I would like to see if any kids would like to do that. We can always explain what we deemed negative to our kids with no negative intonations. It is even our obligations to know the people our kids idolized, I bet many didn't do their homework and just jump in to the bandwagon. Hay... I sounded like her defendant but hey, if you are in the same position as her, being criticized and hated, you also deserved to be justly treated.

Catholics needs to understand because we all know that there are somethings that other's did not understood about our faith. We should not forget that Catholic the UNIVERSAL Church under one God. We do not discriminate, unity in diversity. Universal is bound to change, we grow and we change as times passes by as guided by the teachings of our Lord. For his Words does not suit only in His time, not only in our time but up to the end of time. And with that, I would never give up my faith to Him because I go to Church not because of the person who is presiding the mass but for the Lord who loves us, who asks only an hour of visit once in a week. And I will continue believing in His word "Whatever you do to my brothers (and sisters), you do it unto me.

To anyone who was offended by this blog, I would like to seek apology for expressing what I think of being Catholic by using the "GAGA experience". For those who were offended due to the acts of some various "catholic members" prior to the concert, I would like to seek your understanding for they were doing what they think is right. And to those catholic groups that just prayed for her instead of protesting, AMEN! She needs it, like you and me.

Three Filipinos Executed, Lessons Should Be Too

What has happened this day is a tragic loss to the Filipino nation. Not by heroism, not by courage, but by opportunistic instance. Personally, I cannot judge them for what has happened. Only they, the drug mules, the syndicate, and Our Lord above know what really has happened, what really are the harsh truth. They were all victim by opportunistic drug dealer/syndicate, who uses poverty as a tool to use them whether or not these victims have knowledge of it. They were also a victim of an opportunistic government who seems to be contented with their hard earned dollars to give some of it in form of tax. The were also a victim of people who were capable of contributing in the family finance but instead do nothing for whatever reason they have. Lesson: doing things the right way is always the right way. Another lesson: We are not alone, we control our lives but we do not control other's so be vigilant for they might heartlessly ruining somebody else's life.

We should not blame the Chinese government for their firm justice system. We have our laws, so they too. They just show us that in their justice system, "walang kaibi-kaibigan, walang kama-kamag-anak, walang kumpa-kumpare", may pangil ang batas at may palad ang katarungan. Like what Mayor Alfredo Lim said "the law applies to all, otherwise none at all." This is a huge lesson.

We cannot force the government to do something to save them other than what they already have did. It is the best that they can do with regards to the incident. China also have their own government. Respect them. The only option to rescue them is through espionage and or wart, which is not really a bright idea. A huge credit to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Finally, we cannot do anything about the past but we can do something in our present to mold a better future. We now mourn, not for them, but for ourselves. Also for a government who pursues the small time pusher rather than the head of this crooked organization. If we do not do something now, many more Filipinos will be victimized. Sometimes, it is also ourselves that victimize ourselves. Condolences to the families of the departed. We all learn, sometimes, the hard way.

Nothing's Easy

(image from: http://macscouter.com/usscouts/cartoons/KNOTS_MB_climbing.jpg)

I was always travelling, I mean commuting, on a daily basis. I do not have a car and as of now, I would like to keep it that way. For a freelance Events Specialist, it is a must for me to meet different people everyday. Travelling via jeepney, bus, and railways are my professional kind of sea to where I catch my fishes. Fishes like prospect clients, suppliers, and most of all, life's teachers. Taxi becomes an option only if I am really late, if my hands can't carry the loads of things that I bought, or if I'm not feeling well.

With this, basically, some people asks me, "bakit di ka bumili ng kotse? (why don't you buy a car?)" or "mag-taxi ka na lang (ride a cab)." I often answer "wala akong pera (I have no money) :D. Seriously, it is very uncomfortable travelling on a heavy traffic. It is very uncomfortable riding a cramped jeepney. It is very uncomfortable to ride an overloaded bus. It is also very uncomfortable to be on a jam-packed railway. So the easiest way is to ride a taxi. But wait, isn't it hard to have a taxi to take you on places like MALABON, NAVOTAS, and MAJARLICA Village? Damn... Nothing's easy.

The taxi I was riding one so early morning/ so late night, passes along the Manila Pier, North Bay Boulevard. People taking this route do know that this place is loaded with "informal settlers". The driver complains "Hating gabi na traffic pa din! (It's midnight and it's still a heavy traffic)." I told the driver that the route Pier to North Bay would've been so wide if the original government plan the road was followed. But unfortunately, the other half has been occupied by the informal settlers. They were relocated and given their own house and lot but they still keep on coming back. They say that there is no decent source of income thus their livelihood turns bad to worst. Living in their relocation area is very HARD.

Fact: Almost EVERYTHING is HARD. Some people find it hard to live with lots of money to spend. Some people was burdened where to find money for their vices while their family has nothing to eat. Some even begged for death to come but they keep on living longer. Therefore, nothing is easy. Some people think that regardless their perseverance, they still can't make it out of the slump. Yeah, perseverance is one of the keys but regardless how much work a person put into his life, if he causes problems to others, I doubt that he would have a good and prosperous life.

Fact: NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE. Aside from putting your faith to the Lord above, industriousness, discipline, and smart work are the basic success stories elements. And also most importantly, by being good to others. We cannot control the problems that come into our lives. We can definitely minimize the problems caused by ourselves but we do not have control on what others do to their live that affects us.

Problems are problems, challenges are challenges. We cannot run from it. Reagardless how fast you run, at the end of the day, you will still have to deal with it. Nothing's easy but also nothing is impossible. We usually deal with problems in a very negative mood but in reality, you can still solve it with a positive attitude. We cannot change our burdens but we can definitely change the way we approach them. Positivity clears way to the proper solution, negativity dooms people and their relationships. Best opportunities, great lessons, and strengthening experiences are concealed in the hardest of problems. Regardless how hard life is, it is not impossible to be happy. Face it, we all have to deal with it, so it's up to you how.

A Funny Twist

(image from http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/ear0512l.jpg)

I heard in an FM radio program that this DJ, who is known to give a straight to the point advices to his callers and listeners, have a problem which he usually try to solve for others. That same DJ cried on air because of his personal dilemma. I will not elaborate more in his problem regarding his lovelife. I only want to share this same situation that happens to a lot of people. People can say some good advice to those who are in a difficult situation. This usually happens among friends and families. It is not meddling but showing concern and giving motivational help for those who really needed it. The issue is being in a twisted situation. A dilemma that you have actually given solution for others but ironically, now that you're personally experiencing it, are in need of that same solution. We usually know how to solve it for others, but how come we have a hard time dealing with it ourselves?

Seldom are people who dealt their problems head on and finally move on. We all have the capacity to do that. But for whatever reasons maybe, personal affinity to the problem, human weaknesses, risks, are only considerations to take a look at but should not hinder upon doing the appropriate solution and action. People always know what is right. We all do have problems that were custom made for each and everyone of us. But really, emotions are the biggest pull down factors for us. Hey, what pulls us down may actually push us up. Once you're down, there is nowhere else to go but up, just keep moving.

I am currently dealing about this problem. We all have to prepare for our future and family life. In fact, I always gave advices to my compeers who were in that situations, an example was having an unplanned pregnancy way before even planning to settle down. I do give advices and always happy to help those who need some "enlightenment". Here is my situation: I worry about that promise I gave to my girlfriend for us to be wedded next year but what hunts me is the fact that I still do not have the capacity and the right to be a financially stable family man. It depresses me. I do not want to get older without a family. It is hard to follow your child growing up, specially that the world is rapidly changing and provides gaps for each generations. And we all do know that human life span is getting lesser and lesser as years gone by. I do not want to be financially unstable with children entering high school with me as either their sick or dead father. It really frightens me.

I know I gave people advices on those same problems, but actually, I do need to remind myself of those advices. A personal time for yourself is all you need. What I did is I stop for a while, shutdown my computer, get away from any outside distractions and just focused on myself. I did a personal check up. Where am I right now, what is the goal that I have to achieve, and what is that problem thats causing me to slow down or blocks my way. It is like giving myself a time to heal and recover from the scars of scares. And after the evaluation, we can come up with a solution. What we actually need is within ourselves. We are all capable of solving our problems. That is why it is called "problem", because problems have solutions. If the a situation has no immediate remedy, therefore it will have in it's own time or it shouldn't bothered you at all. Most of the times we create our problems. We can also inject our respective solutions. I am not saying that you should be just positive because knowing what are on the negative side is as much as important. For me, I found out that I simply lose my motivation, that is the problem. What pulls me down, the feeling of time running out has become a push up factor for me to be more industrious and smart. To be more motivated and inspired. All I need and we need to to is to be broad minded. Be calm. Be responsible. And most of all, be caring for yourself.

Expect Less

In his first State of the Nation Address, our beloved president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III did not fail to put flowers unto his message (http://www.gov.ph/2010/07/26/state-of-the-nation-address-2010-226/). Indeed, like what have happened in his oath taking, and what he has said during his campaign, everything is about how evil his opponents are and how dirty the previous administration were. To be honest, I don't even know if he personally writes his messages or he has a ghostwriter. Whoever wrote it amazes people who easily fooled by sensationalized statements.

As far as I am concerned, I can compare his messages into a Chicharon. Regardless how huge his words are, how crunchy they may sound, but still it has no sense, just full of air. Why do we have to hear about how worst the Gloria Presidency was and his words that he is leading us on a "straight path". I would love to hear what he will do for us to walk on his promised "straight path". His platforms, his plans, his promises. He has a vision but no mission, he has objectives but has no way on how to meet them.

Disappointing... Instead of leading us forward, he keeps on hunting the failures of the past. We have learned from the past, now we could remedy our present to have a brighter future for each and every tomorrow. I don't want to agree on this but with the way things are happening in his few weeks in the office, to be not pessimistic about our country's future, I think every Filipinos may EXPECT LESS so you will feel our country ACHIEVE MORE.