Recently, I asked a group of high-energy, highly motivated bankers what siphons their energy.  "Long meetings and too much paperwork!" says Michael Alberts, senior vice president and district manager of Fleet Bank.

 Tony Madeira, assistant treasurer and director of operations of Eastern Savings and loan of Norwich, agrees. "I have no in, out or hold baskets on my desk.  I rarely touch papers twice. Clutter really zaps my energy."

 However, the paperwork issue, though high on the list, is not the biggest energy drain among the people I interviewed.  Negative, rude, impolite people who are not open to share others' ideas or who are immediately   resistant to new ways, were at the top of the list.  Maybe it's because negative people are the total opposite of energetic people.

 What makes high-energy people?  How do people have limitless energy reserves?  They have learned to take their jobs seriously and themselves lightly.  Smiling and laughing is a major component of the high-energy person.

 They know what it takes to sharpen the saw.   This is the seventh  habit that Stephen Covey talks about in his best-selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey describes a man in the woods with the exhausting task of cutting down a tree. 

The man works feverishly for quite some time when another man observes the dullness of the saw blade.   Our observer asks, "How long have you been at it?" "Over five hours and I'm beat!" he replies. 
"Well, why don't you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw." remarks our observer.  Our "lumberjack" responds with an answer that has been heard by the spouse or manager of every workaholic, "I don't have time to sharpen the saw, I am too busy sawing!"

"The majority of bankers I spoke with admitted to being spontaneous with their projects, knowing when to make the job fun."

 Mr. Alberts, of Fleet, recognizes the importance of an energized staff, so he encourages them to leave on time, or early, if possible.  He demonstrates this by example. Also, he encourages his branch managers to occasionally take a leisurely lunch with a client. "It's rewarding both for the client and the manager."

 How do they do it? Do they have a secret? Why don't they share it with us? According to Ann McGee-Cooper, in her book You Don't Have to Go Home From work Exhausted, childhood behavior patterns and attitudes contribute greatly to children's energy levels

 A composite of our group of bankers would indicate that McGee's list is right on. The majority of the bankers I spoke with admitted to being spontaneous with their projects, knowing when to make the job fun and when to switch gears to sharpen the saw.  Everyone seemed to include some degree of physical activity as part of their daily routine.  They all agreed that humor plays a vital part in their professional and personal lives.  Most agreed that they were creative.  However, Tony Madeira made this observation, "I'm not creative in the artsy sense but I can apply knowledge to a situation to come up with a creative solution.'  Playfulness and creativity, once thought to be a by-product of high energy are causes of energy restoration.

 So the next time you're feeling a little bit drained, learn from the children.  find a way to have fun at what you're doing.  Be spontaneous and curious, creative and innovative. But most important, remember to smile and laugh often.  This will help you to keep from having your energy siphoned. And that's not horse manure!