2)You can be at high altitude and low airspeed. In this condition you can trade altitude for airspeed by pointing the nose of your aircraft at the ground. This is not optimum because an adversary with high altitude and high airspeed can out maneuver you and attack you as you are building up the energy to maneuver.

3) You can be at low altitude with high airspeed. In this condition you can trade airspeed for altitude by pulling the nose of your aircraft toward the sky.  You are in great shape if you happen to be in an airplane that can increase airspeed while climbing to high altitude.

4) You can be at low altitude with low airspeed. Referred to as “low and slow” this is a condition you want to avoid at all costs. To be low and slow means you have no energy with which to maneuver and nothing that you can trade to rapidly gain energy. You are literally a sitting duck. 

In our personal lives we must also manage our energy. When are motivated and we have resources (time and money), we are in a state equivalent to being at high altitude with high airspeed. When we have plenty of motivation, but few resources, we are at high altitude with low airspeed. When we are weary but have plenty of time and money, we are at low altitude with high airspeed. When we have grown weary and have few resources, we are at low altitude with low airspeed. 

You can apply this concept by learning to monitor your personal “altitude” and “airspeed.” Become aware of what motivates and excites you (altitude), so you can use that excitement to acquire resources (airspeed). Making a sale is a good example. Learn how to use your “airspeed” (resources) to recharge your batteries and increase your “altitude” (motivation). Taking a timely vacation comes to mind.