Understanding ourselves is the key to fulfillment, but how exactly do we unlock this door to self-discovery? The 7 Levels of Energy is a profound yet practical framework that serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to surprisingly deep self-insight and a richer, more empowering connection with the people and world around you.
In fact, the Forbes Coaches Council recommends the Energy Leadership Index® assessment—a research-backed assessment rooted in the 7 Levels of Energy that provides deep insights into an individual’s beliefs and blocks—as "one assessment they highly recommend executives take," underlining the transformative power of self-awareness and personal growth this framework offers.
If you’re ready to join the tens of thousands of people who have utilized the 7 Levels of Energy to propel themselves toward a life brimming with authenticity and meaning, read on! You’ll dive deep into the heart of this extraordinary framework and uncover personally meaningful insights to empower you in crafting a life beyond your wildest dreams.
Why is it Important to Understand Yourself?
Understanding ourselves is like holding the key to our own happiness and fulfillment—it’s unbelievably empowering! Self-awareness acts as a transformative force in our lives, giving us the opportunity to break free from limiting beliefs and assumptions we often carry about ourselves, others, and the world we inhabit.
As you liberate yourself from limiting perceptions and make new choices, you open yourself up to a more expansive life experience, allowing you to explore the exciting possibilities that lie beyond the boundaries of your former, more constricted perception.
As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” You’ll notice that as you shed the weight of these constraints, you’ll feel different—and you’ll begin to be different. Life will be more enriching and filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful exploration!
Utilizing a framework like the 7 Levels of Energy for self-understanding gives us the ability to influence our life on a moment-to-moment basis by thoughtfully responding to situations rather than reacting.
The 7 Levels of Energy as a Framework for Understanding Yourself
Energy influences how we act because it forms the “lens” through which we perceive the world. For instance, if you’re coming from a higher level of energy, a challenge is more likely to appear as an opportunity. But while experiencing one of the lower levels, that same exact challenge might seem daunting or doomed to fail.
We use seven different energy levels to describe the types of energy a person can experience and express in each moment. And while all levels have advantages and disadvantages, research studies have shown that people who report experiencing higher levels of energy feel far more satisfied in key areas of life like work, relationships, communications skills, financial success, and leadership ability.
Knowing which of the 7 Levels of Energy you’re experiencing at any given moment empowers you to decide whether your current energy level aligns with your goals and wellbeing. If it doesn’t, you can intentionally shift to a higher energy level! This ability to navigate your energy on a moment-to-moment basis imparts a profound control over the direction of your life, enabling you to make conscious choices that lead to greater fulfillment and success rather than impulsively reacting based on past conditioning.
What are the 7 Levels of Energy?
As you explore the brief description of each energy level below, take a moment to reflect on how each one resonates for you. Energy can vary across different areas of our lives—while you might find Level 1 or 2 to be prominent in one corner of your life, you may discover that Level 4 or 5 prevails in another.
It’s also important to keep in mind that there are no “good” or “bad” levels, and we experience all of them at different times—what matters is that you're choosing the level with intention and purpose rather than defaulting to a level out of habit or programming.
Our inner landscapes are complex, so understanding the nuances of our energy can empower us to make conscious choices that align with our ideal selves and lives.
Level 1:
At this level, people often feel powerless and believe that external circumstances control their lives. It's characterized by thoughts and feelings of fear, worry, and self-doubt.
Level 2:
This level is marked by conflict, competition, and a focus on control. People operating at this level tend to see the world through a binary lens, significantly reducing their available options and opportunities.
Level 3:
At Level 3, logical reasoning takes precedence. People at this level may suppress their emotions and rely heavily on coping patterns for self-protection, sometimes at the expense of their emotional wellbeing.
Level 4:
At Level 4, people have an abundance of compassion and live for helping others, although sometimes at their own expense. They foster collaboration, teamwork, and loyalty with those they live and work with.
Level 5:
At Level 5, people are highly optimistic, seeing opportunity everywhere. They seek win-win solutions and are often cool, calm, and collected as they move through life.
Level 6:
At Level 6, people feel a deep sense of connection with everyone and everything. They believe the experience is the opportunity and as a result, feel satisfaction and joy, even while doing seemingly mundane tasks like the dishes or laundry.
Level 7:
Level 7 represents non-judgment, fearlessness, and unconditional love, resulting in profound wisdom and unity with the universe. It's often associated with spiritual awakening and enlightenment, where people feel deeply connected to their true selves and the world around them.
To expand your understanding, let's dive deeper into the 7 Levels of Energy and explore how each unique level can show up in a specific situation.
Scenario: Your Boss Hands You a Last-Minute Project With a Short Deadline
Level 1: Victim Energy
(“Why me?”)
You feel powerless and unable to speak up about your full workload. You call your friend to complain about the situation, lamenting that your boss must not care about you or your workload and that it is never going to get better.
Level 2: Anger Energy
(“Are you serious?!”)
You get mad and stew in frustration, inwardly (or outwardly!) cursing your boss for not giving you an adequate amount of time to do your job.
Level 3: Coping Energy
(“This is just the way it is.”)
You let it go (while maybe rolling your eyes a little) and do your best to just get through the rest of the day. After all, performance reviews are coming up and you are hoping to get that promotion you’ve had your eye on.
Level 4: Care Energy
(“How can I help?”)
You jump into action, asking your boss what else you can take from their plate to support them and the team—even if it leads to burnout from taking on too much.
Level 5: Solution-focused Energy
(“How can I make this a win-win?”)
You approach the task with a long-term perspective, viewing it as part of your career development and a stepping stone toward your big goals—the opportunity to step up is a win for you and your company.
Level 6: Connection Energy
(“We’re in this together. I trust the process.”)
You view the project as an opportunity to collaborate, not just with colleagues but with the universe itself. You bring passion and creativity to the task, creating innovative solutions and achieving remarkable results.
Level 7: Bliss Energy
(“I am creator, experiencer, and observer of the work.”)
You feel just as much joy in this experience as you do lounging on the beach or having a delicious meal with a friend. You don’t believe in “good” or “bad” experiences—everything is an expression of the divine.
The Power of Recognizing and Shifting Your Energy
As we wrap up our tour of the 7 Levels of Energy, we hope it’s evident that the ability to recognize and understand the different energy levels at play within you—and more importantly, the skill to consciously shift between them—offers you an invaluable tool for navigating life with intention.
This newfound awareness can guide you toward a life that is not only personally fulfilling but also radiates harmony and joy. It's a gift that extends beyond your individual experiences, because as you learn to harness the power of your energy, you become a positive force in the lives of those you encounter along your shared path. When you embrace the profound wisdom of the 7 Levels of Energy, you embark on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and personal growth—a path that paves the way for a life that is abundant in meaning, purpose, and a deep resonance with the world around you.
Want to Go Deeper with the 7 Levels of Energy?
This article is only just the beginning. If you’re ready to unlock your full potential and discover the transformative power of the 7 Levels of Energy, we encourage you to explore Coaching Fundamentals—an interactive, immersive training to help you harness the energy within you to create lasting positive change, both in your life and the lives of others.
Whether your goal is to start working with paying coaching clients (either full time or as a side-hustle!), grow as a leader and boost your earning potential, or experience the impact of eliminating inner blocks and awakening your personal potential . . . this 3-day live training will help you master new skills, build confidence, and begin paving your unique path forward.
