The Podfather Chronicles – Chapter 6: The Energy Bank

by Neel Desai, M.D.

The Happy Doc Podcast Episode 69: Action & Energy

The Financial Residency Podcast with Ryan Inman: Becoming Time Rich with Work Life Integration

The Happy Doc Podfather Playlist 

Something we talk a lot about here on The Happy Doc is this concept of energy. This energy can come in the form of excitement or exhaustion. Part of the origin story of The Happy Doc traces its’ roots to Taylor asking several attending physicians what got them excited. A memorable response was one exhausted physician who said “My week off.”  

By contrast, Taylor, myself, and many of our guests discovering our creative outlets have given us our energy, excitement, and passion for pursuing our unique callings. What’s going on here? Why are some people excited to get out of bed every morning, energized, engaged, and loving serving their community? And why are others disconnected, disillusioned, exhausted, and running on empty? It is because of our energy banks. Let’s unpack this one. 

The Energy Bank – Surplus vs Deficit. 

Operating from a Surplus

We all have or have had days when we are feeling great and operating at high energy. It’s because we are making continuous deposits into this metaphorical energy bank. Energy deposits can come from various areas of our life.

It could be we had a good night of sleep. 20 energy units deposited. We were able to eat healthy meals on time. 50 energy units deposited. We were able to get physically active. 100 units deposited. We were able to spend time with some of our favorite people who recharge and energize us. 200 units deposited.  We were able to pursue our creative endeavors we enjoy – writing, playing music, cooking, painting, podcasting, or working on our side business. 500 units deposited. We were able to enjoy some entertainment. 1000 units deposited.

Each of these activities involve time depositing positive energy deposits into our energy bank balance. They keep us connected to our health, our communities, our calling, our purpose, our collective humanity,  and most importantly, to the best versions of ourselves. 

Making time for these activities and people are critical to keep a net positive energy bank balance. 

Operating from a Deficit 

But what happens when we are operating at a low or even negative energy bank balance? There are certain tolls we have to pay on the roads we have chosen to pursue. 3 hours sleep. -300 energy units. 12 hopital admissions at the same time. -200 units.  Short staffed. -150 units. Significant other pissed you are going to be late for dinner again. -400 units. The electronic health record system is down again. -500 units. Vending machine on call dinner. -700 units. Missing the family event . -2000 units. You get the idea.

The rigors and challenges of our medical training and profession require significant energy withdrawals. This just comes with the territory of being a physician or physician in training. There will be days when we are operating from low or even possbily negative energy balances. This can get  compounded when you are around other people who also are operating from low or negative energy balance.

A compounded negative downward spiral of energy withdrawal may ensue. As a result, you are expending exponetial  mental, physical, emotional, and social energy on things you can barely afford to, if at all. This can lead to frustration, conflict, and arguments with co-workers, friends, and loved ones. From an internal perspective it can lead to self-doubt, negative self-talk, irritability, restlessness, guilt, loneliness, discontent, disillusionment, and “burnout”. 

So this poses the question. How do we keep a net positive energy bank account? Well, it first starts with understanding there are going to be times in our lives which cost more in our energy currencies. It could occur during major life transitions or life events. We may be starting a new job, moving to a new location, starting a new life with a significant other, starting a new rotation at a new hospital in a new city, having a child, grieving a loss of a loved one, or may have incurred some new unexpected expenses. 

We can address these large energy bank withdrawals by making constant energy deposits We do this  by applying some of the concepts we have discussed on The Happy Doc: Routines, Systems, Hidden Minutes Optimization, and Work-Life Integration. 

Routines

Routines involve healthy habits, activities, influences, and people for the mind, body, and soul. This could involve things like meditating, or journaling in the morning, going for a walk or run after work, a daily or weekly check ins with your supportive members of your community.

Systems

Systems are created so you can save yourself some energy you will need for more energy draining events.

Hidden Minutes Opitmization

Hidden minutes optimization is the idea of getting the most value of out of your downtime by making energy deposits during those times you usually wouldn’t think of like driving in your car, waiting at an airport, doing your laundry, or picking up groceries.

Work-Life Integration

Work-Life Integration is the concept that there is is no such thing as work-life balance. Work life integration takes into account there are phases and stages of our lives where we are going to have to spend more dedicated time for our profession (medical school, residency) with more fixed schedules and dedicated time requirements which limit our free time. To maximize work-life integration harmony we need to apply the tools of automation, elimination, and delegation. I won’t go too deep into these topics here as it is beyond the scope of the piece, but if you want to learn more, I will link up the podcasts discussing these concepts more in depth. 

Keep a positive energy bank balance

We all understand we will have bad days, good days, and everything in between. That is just life. But if we make enough positive energy deposits into our bank account by being mindful of investing into positive energy activities, people, and resources, we will have the energy savings to accommodate the unexpected large and small withdrawals. This will help us to lead happier, healthier, wealthier, and more energized lives. 

To learn more about these concepts, check out to following podcast episodes.

The Happy Doc Podcast Episode 69: Action & Energy

The Financial Residency Podcast with Ryan Inman: Becoming Time Rich with Work Life Integration

The Happy Doc Podfather Playlist