This is very similar to the energetic levels that iPec coaching founder Bruce Schneider espouses. I have found this framework to be exceedingly helpful, and accurate. In his framework, there are 7 levels, and they have the same attributes that you describe. I also likened these levels to a logarithmic (10) scale, but in this case it spanned 7 logs, or 10,000,000! So what does that even mean? In practical terms, at the lowest level where we are mired in guilt and shame, it can feel like we have 1000 kg on our shoulders. As we progress up each level, that weight is reduced ten-fold. But even at level 3, which is characterized by responsibility, accountability, and coping, common attributes of work life, it can feel like we are carrying around 10 kg on our shoulders all day.

To illustrate this point, I asked a workshop participant to place a 10 kg bag of rice on his shoulders and leave it there for awhile. Very soon, he asked if he could remove it. Just a little while longer, I said. When he did remove the bag of rice, after less than 5 minutes, I asked what it would be like to carry that weight around all day. He said his neck would be killing him. When I asked the group whether they ever had painful necks after a stressful day of work, everyone said Absolutely!

By contrast, at the highest level it’s like a feather resting on your shoulder. These are real physical manifestations of our emotions. The good news is that we can choose!