Second Power of Presence: Fighting for Survival
In the last post we covered the first Power of Presence and what I call the Protecting Victim. Now we’re moving up slightly in the realm of energy to the second Power.
Where the first Power is all about inaction due to fear and apathy, the second Power is all about fighting. This is known as Fighting for Survival.
Even just thinking about the second Power and how I’ve seen it show up my heart rate quickens and it can feel that sense of my blood boiling. This is the fighter mentality, which certainly has its place when needed for true protection, yet the reality is that this is how so much of our world operates - especially in the corporate realm. It’s conflict energy, lack of trust, and a sense of every person for him/herself. Oh man, oh man, there’s so much of this second Power swirling around in offices it’s actually one of the reasons that I find it really difficult to fathom ever going back and working full-time in one.
Have you ever been in a meeting and everyone around the table is moaning about why something can’t be done and how it’s all some other team’s fault? Or someone comes into the room with super angry or aggressive energy? Or, you have the thought ‘I’ve got to fight for what I want’ or ‘I’ve got to do everything on my own’?
This is the second Power showing up. Everyone is fighting for survival and there must be a winner and a loser.
Within the second Power we tend to only see two choices, it’s black and white or good and bad. At the core is anger and it’s expressed through various types of conflict which, whether they’re subtle or quite obvious, over time exhaust us. If we have to show up everyday, in a workplace environment or life in general, with our fists up and ready to fight we’re asking to burn out and be incredibly drained.
Because the energy here in the second Power is draining, heavy, and coming from a place of struggle and frustration any actions that we take or forward progress made is hard and full of effort. That in and of itself is not sustainable. It’s also difficult to have meaningful and connected relationships, work or personal, that are driven by this type of energy.
This is a lesson I quite painfully learned when I was working and everyday went in ready to do battle. Some battles I was certainly creating myself and others I was on the receiving end of. It was the culture. I was in complete survival mode, trying to keep my head above water, and prove that I could keep up. And, I was trying to do it all myself. Despite everything looking great on the surface I was ultimately exhausted and constantly looking for an escape. I had little sense of personal fulfillment, presence, or deeply connected relationships.
There are of course situations when we want fighter energy, when we must stand up for ourselves, but how do we do so with grace and ease? This is what I ponder because I am not a fan of conflict, I just don’t like it, and I know the toxic nature of being crushed by the second Power’s energy. Yet, there’s a spark of energy that comes from here and can be used to propel us forward.
As we move up the Powers the energy shifts and becomes lighter, easier, and growth oriented. Using a spark of the second Power we can launch into higher energies and find more productive, healthy, and empowering ways to live, connect, and thrive.
In the next post we’ll cover the third Power of Presence which is often referred to as a resting spot on the energetic highway. Stay tuned!
As with the first Power I welcome you to think about, observe, take note of how the second Power shows up for you and where you notice it around you. Feel free to write things down, journal, whatever helps you. And again, with all of this, just be curious. There’s no judgement, just greater awareness.
When does it appear?
What triggers these feelings?
How long do you sense that it lasts for?
What do you notice about how you show up in the world when you’re feeling the second Power? What would it take to shake off some or all of this energy?
If you’re an eager beaver and don’t want to wait for each level in detail you can grab my Seven Powers of Presence guide here. I share this simple guide with all my clients to help them gain awareness and presence and now you can have it too.
And finally, if you’re ready to dive deep right now you can learn more and sign up for your very own Powers of Presence assessment and transformational debrief. Read more here.
xoxo
jessie
Note: This piece contains my interpretation of the copyrighted work of Bruce D Schneider and the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).