Energy Exchange

As an extroverted introvert, I love socializing, hanging with people and being in groups. The downside is that these engagements fill my cup at the time, but leave me completely drained! At the moment I’ve been hermiting, and craving solitude so much. But I recently listened to a podcast that has helped me a little in this area. It discussed classifying acquaintances into time allotments. Some people are 1 minute people, 10 minute, half hour, 1 hour, or longer. meaning that’s the amount of time that you can spend with them, without dipping into your energy reserves.

Some people give energy and some take energy and every interaction is a transaction. If you know how much you can afford with that person, it makes it easier to distribute your time more wisely.

This has also helped settle a wee uncomfortable tug I have occasionally: I’ve done a lot of work on being more understanding, and viewing different perspectives but found myself being really short and having a low tolerance with some people, even though I genuinely like them. I didn’t like this AT ALL but this has helped me to realize that maybe these are only ten minute people! That some people just require more energy than others and I need to be aware of this so I don't burn myself out.

This kind of rounds out nicely with my focus for this year. I want to be an energy bringer. As I mentioned, every interaction is a transaction. I want my default transaction to be a deposit to the other person, and if I need to withdraw, make sure that they have the capacity for that. If not, then I need to get my energy in check before interacting.