[rralian]

I had an epiphany about personal energy a while ago that came from self-reflection, reading philosophy (stoicism in particular), and exploring mindfulness. And it's formed a big part of my personal philosophy. I will share in hopes it is useful to others.

I realized that I was waiting to have energy before doing something. Blaming my lack of action on a lack of energy.

But energy -- of the vim and vigor variety -- is not a tank that you must fill before you can use it. It's a choice. It is in fact _created by action_. It's getting up and making things happen even when your tank is empty.

And this doesn't happen by shaming yourself or hating yourself for not being that person. It happens by choosing to be that person. It happens by making that part of your identity.

So no, there is no magic pill. No external thing that will turn you into that energizer bunny type who seems unstoppable. Other than the realization that you choose who you are every moment. So why wouldn't you be the best version of yourself that you can be?

Yes, of course, exercise, eat healthy, drink in moderation, get enough sleep, and manage your stress. All of those help. In fact they're all part of the same choice of who you want to be.

You are not your situation, your possessions, your achievements, or your past. You are your choices and your actions in the present. Think about the kind of person you admire -- their qualities and their actions. Then _be that person_. Choose to make that a core part of your identity. Not your past choices or your past actions, but who you are _right now_.

Realizing this and making that choice may be one of the most energizing moments of your life. It's free and available to everyone. No prescription required.

[andreyk]

This is of course partially true, but the notion that you can just decide to be the best version of yourself is a bit weird, as many factors outside your control limit your range of actions. As you mention, physical health is pivotal, and having poor physical health is going to limit you significantly. You can work on your physical health, but as with many low income people you may have to work hard for money and have no physical energy left over for such feats. Poor mental health in particular is going to limit your ability to change 'who you are right now' - it's simply not possible to choose to be positive, for instance.

But I do of course agree it's a good philosophy to recognize you can choose to act in accordance with who you want to be, insofar as it is possible. And at the same, to work to chance your circumstances to expand your possibilities about who you can be.

[graeme]

> but as with many low income people you may have to work hard for money and have no physical energy left over for such feats

People love to bring up edge cases but most people on that situation aren’t on Hacker News.

Vast majority of audience here is in a position to improve their energy.

And I’ve had health and digestive issues that impair me more than average. Guess what? By controlling my environment and inputs I can have a massive difference in my own average energy levels

> it's simply not possible to choose to be positive, for instance

I fundamentally disagree with this statement. There’s always a choice. Do you speak from experience or are you assuming what others with worse physical challenges than you must logically feel?

(I draw a distinction here between acute and chronic issues. If your spouse has just died or you just broke your leg and are in excruciating pain, positivity has little role. I’m talking about longer run)

[rory]

> You can work on your physical health, but as with many low income people you may have to work hard for money and have no physical energy left over for such feats

If you are physically exhausted from your work, you almost certainly exercised enough during that work to be in good physical health. The health problems of low income people are almost always caused primarily by nutritional issues (too much food, too little, or not the right variety, depending on the context).

[underbluewaters]

I'm coming around to this way of thinking. My personal anecdote: I had my first child in June premature and it has been... difficult. There's no amount of energy that can get you through caring for a newborn. During the most difficult phase I read that exercise can counteract the effects of sleep deprivation. So I started running, then I went back to the gym, and now I go nearly every day. I don't think the exercise itself has given me that much more energy. Rather, it's a change in mindset.

I found it easier to get up early and go to the gym when I realized I'm going to feel like shit in the morning no matter what, so I might as well just get up and go. When I was childless and care-free I would skip if I had one too many beers the night before, a tiring weekend, or just didn't feel "100%". This change in lifestyle made me realize there never was a "100%". Now maybe the exercise gives me a small boost in energy, but most importantly I'm conditioning myself to push myself towards my goals regardless of how much energy I think I have.

[bluejellybean]

>But energy -- of the vim and vigor variety -- is not a tank that you must fill before you can use it. It's a choice. It is in fact _created by action_. It's getting up and making things happen even when your tank is empty.

So very true in my experience with any creative pursuit I've attempted. As others have mentioned, there is a real local maxima that must be overcome, but once you climb the hill and enter the mindset of "getting the thing done", the burst of energy can be so unrelenting until the task is complete. Forcing yourself to this mindset seems like a great approach to me. I still personally need little tricks and triggers to remind myself that 'this', whatever 'this' is, is what I've chosen to do though.

>You are not your situation, your possessions, your achievements, or your past. You are your choices and your actions in the present. Think about the kind of person you admire -- their qualities and their actions. Then _be that person_. Choose to make that a core part of your identity. Not your past choices or your past actions, but who you are _right now_.

I've come to a somewhat similar conclusion. To channel my inner Horowitz, I offer an excerpt from Death Grips' - "Lord of The game".

"Fuck where you're from Fuck where you're goin' It's all about where you're at"

The present moment is all we really have, and attempts to perfect it are very high yield in my opinion.

[dijereedan]

Actually, I've found taking Wellbutrin has increased my energy level considerably. Though, whether it's a direct effect of the medication, I'm not sure.

[netizen-936824]

There are multiple compounds that effect motivational energy, because that behavior is a consequence of how our brain functions. So things that modify the related circuits will modify the behavior. Plus free will is an illusion, and we don't actually "choose" anything. All of our behaviors are a consequence of the biochemical functioning of our cellular circuits. Quite frankly, the GP has no idea what they are talking about.

If you want to start understanding motivation and reward, simply look at the function of mu-opioid agonism in relation to the NAcc and related dopamine task reward circuitry.

[diordiderot]

Absolutely, Bupropion(Wellbutrin) acts as a norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor and a nicotinic receptor antagonist.

[DharmaPolice]

It is a choice but it's also a series of choices. The analogy with physical exercise is appropriate - after a long period of sloth trying to be more active can feel incredibly difficult. Subsequent attempts (usually) are gradually less hard.

This is the whole "excellence isn't an act but a habit" thing, usually attributed to Aristotle.