In our book, Change at the Core, Myron Radio and I discuss a concept we call “internal energy.”  Internal energy is the force at the core of each one of us. This powerful force drives the decisions we make – from the careers we choose, to which specific tasks we complete and which we tend to procrastinate on.

Internal energy is made up of many factors.  The three we discuss in our book are:

• Style: HOW we do what we do (Driving, Influencing, Steady, Careful)

• Passion: WHY we do what we do (Results, People, Creativity, Knowledge, Leading, Tradition)

• Mindset: WHAT we focus on (People, Processes, or Systems)

I learned (from working with Myron) that my workplace passions are: People, Knowledge and Creativity.  I wasn’t sure that creativity fit me, until I learned that the creativity passion means a desire to be in balance in life and connected with nature.  This awareness helped me set my personal vision of doing intellectually stimulating work that helps people and having a serene, nature-focused life.  

About 2½ years ago, my husband and I moved to Colorado – a decision driven by these passions.  Just today I had a combination of experiences that reminded me of just how powerful it is when we can align our work lives with our sources of internal energy.  

My first agenda item for this morning was working with a client to develop a change communication plan.  I literally jumped out of bed before dawn and got right to work.  Only later did I reflect on how energized I felt, and realized that the task combined my passion for knowledge and people.  I was getting to combine things I had learned from the literature and my own experience to create a plan that would energize people!

In the middle of the morning I glanced out my office window and saw that our neighborhood bobcat was back.  He was just a few yards away from me – stalking a squirrel at our feeder.  As I watched him hunt with adrenaline racing through my veins it occurred to me that this was a hat-trick of a day.  I was getting to live my passion for people, knowledge and nature.  It’s only noon but I am willing to bet that this will be the most productive day of the week (if not month) for me because I am lucky enough to be living what I call “energized alignment.”  Energized alignment is a “state” rather than a “trait.”  We experience it at an internal level when our internal energy matches up perfectly with what we need to do and with our environment.  

I’d love to hear from you.  What are your passions?  When do you experience energized alignment?