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Confessions of an Adrenaline Junkie
December 02, 2004
Most of us will go to any lengths to get the easiest and quickest energy available, because our lives are so busy, and because of the relentless demands of our fast-paced world. If you're like most, you'll grab anything with caffeine, sugar, or chocolate to give you a quick boost. It seems there's never enough time, enough energy, enough ANYTHING to meet the demands that are placed on us - or on the demands we place on ourselves (perhaps the bigger problem?). If caffeine isn't enough, perhaps you've probably already seen the TV ad for a non-prescription "drug" that will give you that boost to get through your day! (I wonder what will be next, or if people will just start dying from sheer exhaustion!)
One of the most common sources of quick energy is something that each of us has, and yet we don't consciously think about using: adrenaline. Adrenaline is a naturally-occurring hormone, produced in your adrenal glands, which is necessary for life, not the least of which is keeping your heart beating!
However, over-production of adrenaline by a too-hurried, too-stressed lifestyle will lead to burnout and problems associated with an "adrenaline lifestyle".
Do you thrive on adrenaline? See which of these indicators you have .
Over-promising results, even a little bit
Arriving in the nick of time or even late
Involved in non-essential projects
Trying to prove something by your results
Live with "should's" and "have to's"
Not asking for what you need
Letting people walk all over you
Putting up with things
Being optimistic during rough times
Being nice
Being mad
Or, maybe you've heard one or more of the following said about you or to you:
" I know he listened to what I said, but I don't think he heard me."
" You can count on Bob to be late; that's just him."
" John is always so busy. What is he always doing?"
" Susan works too hard. What's with her?"
" Why does Sam put himself through all that stress? I think he likes it or something."
" He always said he works best under pressure, but he's including us, too."
Having an adrenaline lifestyle is a costly habit which has far-reaching implications. How many things do you do, such as working extra hard at getting ahead, being greedy, and trying to win all the time, that eat at your soul? Remember the "cut-throat" atmosphere that most of us dentists faced in dental school? Or, the "eat or be eaten" business world/rat race we live in?
The problem is that getting your source of energy from adrenaline requires that you create crises first; this is damaging to both you and the people around you, and may/will affect your work in very negative ways. Examples of the "manufactured" crises may include setting unrealistic deadlines, creating huge projects with no time to get them done, making incredibly long lists of things to do (my personal favorite), or others. People are very creative! (Especially adrenaline junkies!)
For those who live an adrenaline lifestyle, the cycle may go one and on and on, since our bodies will produce adrenaline forever . or until the adrenal glands "burn out". After that happens, there are significant health issues which affect our well-being and quality of life, and recovering from that is very difficult and challenging.
Consider your lifestyle . do you thrive on adrenaline? How does it affect what you do? Do you understand how it affects you health, your well-being, your soul? Are you ready to look for another source of energy for your life?
You can begin ridding yourself of an adrenaline lifestyle by doing the following:
Recognize how adrenaline affects your life
Speak truthfully and honestly with everyone, including yourself
Under-promise
Leave early for appointments
Be specific and ask for what you need
Listen to your heart; make decisions with your heart
Slash your personal and professional goals in half (You've got too many already!)
Get rid of your should's and have-to's no matter what
Resolve matters in your life
Stop tolerating anything
Shift your focus from getting results to making connections with people
Create a greater personal awareness of all of the above by working with a coach - preferably one who has had an adrenaline lifestyle!
Be patient with yourself as you discover a new energy source; it will take time
And most importantly . SURRENDER!
Having an adrenaline-free lifestyle is not only advantageous to your family, friends, and co-workers, it's advantageous to your health and emotional well-being.
Happy Holidays!
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Next article: Where is your heart this holiday season?
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