Inner Excellence: #11 Energy and Alignment

Protecting Your Energy

The most practical yet overlooked elements of high performance: energy management. “Energy and Alignment,” explores how our energy—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual—affects not just how we feel, but how we perform, lead, and live. The core message? What you give your energy to, you become.

Energy Is Your Most Valuable Resource

Murphy begins by reframing how we think about productivity. It’s not just about time management—it’s about energy management. You can’t perform at your best if your energy is scattered, drained, or misaligned with your purpose.

He emphasizes that high performers are intentional about what they give their energy to—whether it’s people, habits, thoughts, or emotions. Every choice either recharges or depletes you.

Alignment = Efficiency

When your actions are aligned with your values, identity, and purpose, you conserve energy. You stop wasting it on internal conflict, second-guessing, or people-pleasing. Murphy explains that alignment creates flow, while misalignment creates friction.

Living in alignment means saying no to what doesn’t serve your highest self—and saying yes to what strengthens it.

What Drains You?

Murphy challenges readers to identify their “energy leaks”—those recurring habits, thoughts, or relationships that subtly (or not-so-subtly) drain their strength. These might include things like overthinking, unresolved tension, negative environments, or even trying to control things outside your influence.

Awareness is the first step. Boundaries are the next.

Recharging with Intention

The also explores how to restore and build energy through intentional practices: rest, stillness, movement, meaningful work, quality relationships, nature, and spiritual connection. These aren’t luxuries—they’re essentials. Murphy makes it clear: you can’t pour into others if your cup is empty.

Investing in your energy is an act of leadership, not selfishness.

The Power of Presence

Ultimately, Murphy brings the focus back to presence. When you’re scattered or burned out, you’re not present—and when you’re not present, you’re not powerful. Energy and alignment aren’t just about peak performance; they’re about showing up fully for life.

Final Thoughts

This is a wake-up call to protect and steward your energy with the same care you give your work. Because energy drives everything—focus, clarity, resilience, and joy. When your energy is aligned with who you are and what matters most, excellence becomes sustainable.

If you feel tired, reactive, or out of sync, this offers a clear message: get aligned, get intentional, and protect your energy like your life depends on it—because in many ways, it does.