When was the last time when you got a bolt of new energy, seemingly out of the blue and then found yourself more productive than you had been for a long time?
The world of life coaching has come up with a concept of “Energy Leaks” or “Energy Drains” to describe the defeating feeling you get from any unfinished or unattended tasks or ideas that gnaw on your psyche and little by little wear you down.
Where Are Your Energy Leaks?
Last weekend I cleaned my shower caddy. It is a fabulous shower caddy that years ago I made a video touting the virtues of.
This shower caddy was pretty gross with layers of soap scum and mildew. When I would get ready for each day, I would see the shower caddy and say to myself, “Oh there’s that shower caddy. Ugh… I have to clean it.” It didn’t make me feel good to think about this particular to-do. I didn’t feel productive and powerful. The fact that this particular to-do had been on my list for months and months made me feel like crap… ineffective and worthless. Cleaning it transformed those feelings. All of a sudden I was on top of the world again. In fact, I immediately tackled another area of the bathroom that I’d long been avoiding.
A Magical, Energy-Rich Domino Effect
Plugging that energy drain gave me a burst of energy that made me feel powerful, productive and inspired to keep plugging other energy drains. I’ve been looking for energy drains in my business. What to-dos am I avoiding that effect my energy on a daily basis? For me, there is a lot of content that I’ve started creating over the years – in a flurry of creative inspiration – that is about 75% complete. That doesn’t feel good. I’m working on that, and I give myself permission to tackle that slowly and with life-balance.
What about you? Where are you leaking energy?
Is it that blog that you thought you wanted to maintain? That job listing you keep avoiding posting because you think it will be too much work? Or perhaps your own shower caddy that’s been neglected? Where could you use a bolt of powerful energy?
Gather your Leaks on Paper
Get a piece of paper and make a quick and dirty list of all the things that look like energy leaks in your life. Keep it around for a couple of days and add to it whenever you think of another potential leak. Then rewrite the list to make it neater and clearer. Tackle the easiest thing on the list first so you get to feel a sense of accomplishment soon.
Recognizing the leaks is the first step. Writing them down gets them out of your head and ready to tackle in the real world. As my old friend used to say, “Keep Your Gas Tank Full and Your Bladder Empty,” then you’re always set for whatever comes your way.
