2nd Principle - “Collect and store energy"
OR HOW TO Mix and Match Activities to Generate Lasting Energy
This article is part of a series on the parallels between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and the conditions for sustainable transformations of organizational systems. Here is the first post. If you are a professional changemaker committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner serenity.
💡 Explanation of the permaculture operating principle
Nature doesn't need a gardener.
It is designed from the ground up to meet its needs for water, sunlight, wind, and nutrients, regardless of the season or location. It adapts itself to the characteristics of a given environment—whether arid, icy, or humid—in order to develop, distribute, and store the resources necessary for its survival.
Nature's goal is to use energy respectfully and sparingly, with the least amount of effort.
🔍 Illustration of the principle applied to a transformation initiative
Just like nature, a change maker needs to practice what they preach when it comes to moderation.
A change agent needs time, creativity, knowledge, and support—but above all, a great deal of energy to sustain themselves and share with their ecosystem.
I remember a member of my team arriving at a meeting exhausted.
She felt that the creation of a cross-functional committee to promote eco-friendly initiatives in the office was weighing her down.
During our discussion, we sought to understand the sources of resistance, the issue of member commitment, and the key elements needed to make a real impact. We were able to identify ways to adapt our approach to align with the resources at our disposal, as well as the strengths and flexibility of each member. This plan was intended to strengthen the project’s shared governance and conserve everyone’s energy while maximizing opportunities for pride.
She seemed relieved. Still, one thing was missing: her ability to store and replenish her energy.
I asked her, “What projects are energizing you right now?” Once these elements were identified, I simply advised her to alternate between and mix energizing and draining tasks throughout her day. This would naturally recharge her energy without leaving her feeling drained. This dynamic creates a virtuous cycle because energy is contagious.
A few years later, after many subsequent successes, she told me that this change had been crucial to achieving her goals
🐝 Tips for Getting Active
Fill up on energy just as you would stock up on groceries.
Just because the market is full of good food doesn't mean you're going to take it all home. That would be too expensive, too much to unpack, and impossible to eat before the expiration date.
So, yes, there are billions of projects you'd like to start, many people to meet, decision-makers to convince, partnerships to form, emails to write, kick-off meetings to organize, dozens of conferences to attend, and stacks of books to devour. But you need to be selective.
We need to recognize our level of motivation, our intellectual dynamism, and our physical fitness so that we can manage our high-impact projects over the long term.
Do you feel guilty that you might not be doing enough to address the climate and social crises?I understand.
Now, let’s look at it from a different angle.
On July 28, our organization exhausted the annual budget of natural resources. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has used up all the biological resources that the Earth regenerates over the course of an entire year. As a change maker, you can work to bring about changes in your ecosystems to stop overspending natural resources through overproduction and overconsumption.
Why are you doing to yourself the very thing you're fighting against? Why are you wasting your energy?
I am not here to judge, but rather to serve as a wake-up call. I often find myself overspending my energy while working on my projects. I try to get back on track as soon as possible. This is important so that I can lead by example and maximize both my impact and my well-being at the same time. It is challenging to do. Yet, it is crucial.
"Productivityis only valuable if it allows you to have a balanced life "
So, are you ready to generate the kind of energy that lasts? What is your first step in this direction?
If you found this post helpful, please like it and share it with your network members who might find it useful.
It's the best way to support me.
Hello everyone, I'm Nina Cambadélis, an independent coach and facilitator specializing in sustainability and organizational transformation. I'm also a changemaker working for the leader in environmental services.
Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, humane, and nature-friendly world.
If you would like assistance with:
Become the changemaker you want to be for the world you envision
Find and assert your leadership, or foster the emergence of new leadership styles
Make sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives central to your organization
Accelerate engagement within your ecosystem to drive systemic change
Make an impact while conserving energy and promoting well-being
Here is a link to an exploratory call and a form to provide more details about your goals and challenges: English
