Most of us know one of those prodigies of energy - exiting, inspiring and sometimes maddening people who get far more than their share of the world's work and play accomplished. When we stop to think about it, almost all of us can bring back memories of periods when we too were bursting with energy, when the days seemed too short.

Yet so often we feel drained, unable to drag ourselves to the simplest task. We leave those mails unanswered and squander our best energy on menial jobs or in front of the television. Why?

The answer is that, the human being is the kind of machine that wears out from lack of use. We have learnt in high school physics that kinetic energy is associated with motion. The same is true of human energy; it comes into existence through use. You can't hoard it.

All of us possess enormous stores of potential energy, more than we could ever hope to use. If we could tap as title as ten percent of this vast resource, our lives would be significantly altered.

GET AND STAY IN SHAPE - Physical fitness contributes enormously to energy in every aspect of our lives. Often the best remedy for weariness is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise.

UTILIZE ANGER- Everyone experiences anger. But we suppress the emotion so effectively that we forfeit the vigor that goes with it. Look at the possibility of taking this energy and putting it to positive use. When you feel your anger is rising, choose to go and work furiously on your favorite project.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE- Numerous studies suggest that people with a positive outlook on life suffer far less sickness than those who see the world in negative terms. Tom Peters, America's top management consultant stresses on the value of positive attitude and the effectiveness of praise and other forms of positive feedback.

TELL THE TRUTH- Truth telling works best when it involves revealing your own feelings but not when used to insult others and get your own way. It has a lot to commend it- risk, challenge, and excitement and most important, the release of all that energy...

SET PRIORITIES- In making any choice, to move in one direction, you must forgo others. To choose one goal is to forsake a very large number of other goals. But if you keep all your options open, you can't do anything. Indecision leads to inaction, which leads to low energy, depression, despair. Begin by listing your priorities for day, week and month. Divide them into categories and accomplish at least the top category. Simply writing them down adds clarity and clarity creates energy.

KEEP MOVING- Take time for wise planning. But don't take forever. Begin doing it.

Always keep in mind that you can't hoard energy; you can't build it up by not using it. Adequate rest is part of any action plan, but unaccompanied by positive action, rest may only depress you. It might well be that much depression and discontent can ultimately be traced to our unused energy, our untapped potential. There is enough constructive, creative work for everyone with plenty left over. All of us can increase our energy, starting NOW.