We all have drainers in our life—the things that suck our energy and send us into a negative spiral. It can be a pesky annoyance or a big issue we’ve been ignoring. Regardless of what your trigger is, there is a way to change it. I know it can sound impossible, but with some resourcefulness and a shift in mindset, you too can turn your drainers into an energy boost!
My Biggest Energy Drainer
Sometimes energy drains are obvious, like a toxic relationship, but other times energy drains can simply be distractions that aren’t serving our purpose and take us off course. For me, one of the things that was a big energy drainer was when my kids would ask me what’s for dinner. My girls would call me on their way home from practice or school or an event and say, “Hey, mom, what’s for dinner?” And here’s the thing, I have no interest in cooking and I’m a terrible cook. Good, bad, right, or wrong, I didn’t get that gene from my incredible mother who’s a remarkable cook.
In the past I would rotate between three recipes that were all average at best and my kids were so tired of eating the same thing for dinner. At the end of a long work day, these calls from my kids simply asking what is for dinner would stress me out. However, I still valued that family time happening each night when we shared a meal together.
After a recommendation from a friend and some research, I decided to try a meal delivery service (we use Hello Fresh, but there are so many great options out there). And here’s what I found, I was able to turn my drainer into an energy boost for my family by outsourcing the question of “what’s for dinner.” By using a meal delivery service, I freed up more energy for myself each day and created a fun new activity for my girls. It turned out that my girls loved to follow the recipes and learn to cook. My husband would get involved. We’d even do it together as a family. It was a win-win.
My Challenge to You
So, here’s what I would challenge you to do this week. Identify things in your life that are consistent drainers, triggers, hot buttons in your life, and then say, “How can I get creative? How can I be resourceful?” And lean into an opportunity to take this problem in your life and turn it into something positive. See if it’s something that you can outsource to free up more time and energy so that you can align your energy to what matters most.
There is nothing more rewarding than taking a drainer and turning it into an energy boost. For more ideas on turning drainers into an energy boost, check out my latest book, The Energy Clock.
More on energy management:
- Are you Managing Your Energy Effectively?
- Everyday Habits to Boost Your Energy
- Episode 44- Juliet Funt on Reclaiming White Space at Work
The Molly Fletcher Company inspires leaders, teams and organizations to up their game. A keynote speaker and author, Molly draws on her decades of experiences working as a sports agent. Her company offers training and coaching programs to help leaders unleash their potential, including: Game Changer Negotiation Training, which teaches business people a framework for successful negotiating; The Energized Leader training, which teaches people how to manage their energy to achieve focus and freedom; and a monthly coaching program, Game Changer Leadership Huddles, to help members recharge their purpose and mindset. Sign up to receive our newsletter, subscribe to the Game Changers with Molly Fletcher podcast, and watch her TED Talk on The Secrets to a Champion Mindset.