Identify Your Energy Boosters

CBNMoney.com I have a simple rule for determining the friendships and activities that get my time and attention. I ask this question: “Does this situation, activity, or friendship give me energy or drain my energy?” If it gives me energy, I nurture and embrace it. If it drains my energy, I cut it or take intentional actions to dramatically improve it. Often, energy drains come in the form of negativity, drama, situations that take but never give, and activities for which you no longer have a passion.

Life is simply too short to fill it with activities, situations, and people that steal your joy and drain your energy. So this week, I’d like to challenge you to look at your life and make a list of what and who is giving you energy. Nurture and grow the friendships and things that make your “energy-boosting” list. Then identify the situations that are draining you, and be willing to let them go, or take specific actions to improve the situation.

To get you started, here are a few examples of situations that give you energy and ones that drain it:

Energy-Boosters

1. True friends.
These are the ones who love you for who you are and not what you do. You can cry together, laugh together, make mistakes together, and pray together. Nurture these friendships.

2. Activities and work you love.
Do something every day that allows you to use your gifts, talents, and passion. It’s good for your mind, body, and spirit. Many who have turned their passion into their profession also find that if they persevere, doing what you love can reap rich rewards. Whether it is a hobby or a career, make sure you regularly engage in activities you love.

3. Space.
I like to call it “margin for error,” but whenever you give yourself space, you make room for joy. It’s hard to experience joy when you are racing from one appointment to the next. Whether it is more time than you need to get ready before leaving home, or a financial cushion so that emergencies don’t bring on stress, consider the areas of your life in which you need to add more space.

Energy-Drainers

1. Pseudo-relationships.
Pseudo-relationships are those relationships that take up time, energy, and sometimes even money, but don’t enhance your quality of life. Whether it’s the negative girlfriend who calls regularly to dump all of her problems on you or people who always want something from you but rarely give, start noticing who drains your energy. Once you’ve identified those energy-draining relationships, make a decision to move on or have a conversation in which you request a change in the relationship dynamic.

2. Clutter.
Look around. Whether in your car, home, or office, your environment can bring clarity or confusion. Ever notice how much more energy you have after you clear your desk or clean out your closet? As a life coach, I have often found a correlation between a person being stuck in a particular area of their life and the amount of clutter they tolerate in their environment. Clear your clutter and you make room for more of what you want in your life.

3. Busywork.
There may be some activities you engage in just because you always have. Perhaps this month it’s time to reevaluate your schedule. Drop the activities that don’t give you joy or energy and incorporate more of the things that bring you joy!

My challenge to you this week:
Make a decision to fill your life with joy, love, and positive energy!

Journaling assignment:
Who and what gives you energy? Who and what drains it? How could you incorporate more energy boosters into your life? What could you do about the energy draining situations? What will you do? And when?

A sought-after life coach and speaker, Valorie Burton seeks to inspire people to live more fulfilling, less stressful lives. She is the author of Listen to Your Life, What’s Really Holding You Back?, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, and her latest, Why Not You? 28 Days to Authentic Confidence.