Coal
Most people know coal as that dirty black stuff that a lot of people used to burn to heat their homes. We still use it to heat buildings, generate electricity, and make steel and cement, among other things. Unfortunately, this usefulness comes at a cost: Coal is dirty. Where coal is commonly used, air pollution is sure to follow, sometimes to the point of turning whole cities sooty and gray. Even worse, it sends carbon dioxide into the air, which creates a greenhouse effect that contributes to global warming. Let’s hope we can find another source of energy that works just as well without leading the Earth straight into a cataclysmic burnout. In the meantime, coal is telling you to check your own fuel supply. Where are you getting your energy from? Are you replenishing your stores or are you burning out?
The Bottom Line
FUEL UP
“Check your power supply.”
One Or More Of These Messages Are For You
- You might need to stop and refuel if you want to meet your goals or complete your current project.
- Pay attention to how you’re fueling yourself. Are you getting your energy from healthy sources, or are you pumping yourself full of substances that will only burn you out in the end?
- Notice your energy levels over time. If you’re experiencing cycles of high productivity followed by exhaustion, depression, or burnout, seek some help from a professional to get yourself back to a nice even hum.
- If you’re using processed or artificial substances to fuel yourself, know that they’ll only cause more harm in the end.
- Are you pushing yourself too hard? Demanding yourself to keep moving, producing, or performing hour after hour, day after day will not only hurt your health, it will make you less productive in the long run.
- You might be young and healthy enough to feel like you can keep living hard forever, but consider this a warning and start balancing yourself with rest, exercise, nourishing foods, and plenty of breaks for fun, family, and friends.
- Are you staying up too late at night? Shut off those devices at a decent hour every night. You’ll find the quality and quantity of your output improving significantly if you do.
