This is the third and final segment of a message on the importance of how we can effectively address the negative drains of energy on a personal level.

As a reminder from last week, there is a great deal written about the importance of a positive mindset, counting our blessings, looking at the bright side of events and how that positive mindset can create a renewable source of personal energy to make progress in reaching our hopes and dreams.  However, we do not have a great deal written about or discussed on how we deal with the negative, unproductive drains of energy on a personal level.

As we continue on our journey to build and strengthen our character, effectively dealing with the negative, unproductive drains on our personal energy will help us remain on a productive path to reach our full potential.

Parts I & II of the message addressed Worry and the trifecta of negative energy Anger-Bitterness-Resentment. In part III of the message, we will address the negative energy associated with being Lost.

Most of us lose our way from time to time.  Whether we are on the highway towards a new vacation spot or on the proverbial “highway of life,” we get off track, veer off our original plans and eventually realize we are lost. In both situations, we spend a great deal of unproductive energy wandering around when we could be more productive with our energy if we took some time to figured out where we are and where we need to go.

There are a few simple, but often underutilized steps to minimize this unproductive energy drain and free up capacity for positive energy to move us forward.

When lost on “the street” searching for a destination, here are a few simple steps: (1) Stop and ask for directions much sooner than we have in the past. (2) Instead of yelling at our travel companions, we should ask for their help.  They bring a different perspective from their seat and at this point, a different point of view maybe just what we need to help. (3) When in doubt, upgrade the software on your GPS.

When lost on the “highway of life” searching for a destination, here are a few ideas: (1) Acknowledge we came off the path at some point and are now lost. No sense playing the blame game or feeling regrets. Just simply acknowledge we are lost and getting nowhere. (2) Spend some quality time alone and with a few people you can be very “real” with who won’t move quickly to judgement, shame, or a quick fix to your current situation.  Spend the time necessary to figure out where you want to go and make a plan to get there. Spending the time upfront is critical, but so few of us actually do it.  Einstein is noted to have said that if he had one hour to save the world he would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem and only five minutes finding the solution.   We should use a similar construct as we determine our life’s destination.  Where do we want to go?  Send some time thinking about that critically important question. (3) Make the decision to start heading out in a particular direction, buckle-up and learn to enjoy the journey.

As we take steps to minimize the negative, unproductive drains on our personal energy, we will build and strengthen our character and Character Creates Opportunity to achieve our hopes and dreams.