title: Energy.
abstract: Energy is the capacity to do the things we are capable of and desire to accomplish. Most often this is thought of in terms of PEP--personal energy potential--a reservoir of individual vivacity and zest for work. Like a battery, energy can be conceived of as a resource that is alternatively used and replenished. Transitions between activities, variety of tasks, and choices of what to spend energy on are part of energy management. Energy capacity can be thought of at four levels: (a) so little that harm is caused and extraordinary steps are needed for recovery, (b) a deficit that slightly impairs performance but will recover naturally, (c) the typical range of functioning, and (d) a surplus that may or may not be useful and requires continual investment to maintain. "Flow" is the experience of optimal energy use when challenges balance capacity as a result of imposing order on our environment. There are other energy resources in addition to personal vim. Effective work design reduces demands on energy. Money, office design, and knowledge are excellent substitutes for personal energy.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D004526:Efficiency; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014937:Work; D014941:Work Simplification; D057188:Workflow; D016526:Workload