If you’re feeling low on energy and are considering a quick Starbucks fix, first pause and consider what may be draining your energy. Of course there are many physiological factors that could account for your low energy state, but did you know you could be leaking energy due to something in the emotional, intellectual, social, or spiritual realm?
Something may be hanging over your head, such as an unfinished task, buried emotion, toxic situation, or unresolved conflict.
These are all consistent drains on our emotional reserves, or what we call energy leaks. These leaks may feel significant or they could be seemingly trivial.
However, these leaks aren’t mere inconveniences. They steal our energy and productivity, hindering our progress toward other goals. Energy leaks usually operate on the subconscious level—we don’t usually realize something is leaking our energy until we bring conscious awareness to it.
Your energy can be maximized, but it isn’t limitless. If you spend your energy on these leaks, you’ll have an energy deficit.
Take a look around—you are likely surrounded by energy leaks that blend into your everyday routine and environment. The better you become at spotting and sealing these leaks, the clearer your path to productivity and achievement will be.
Common Energy Leaks
So let’s identify some of the most common energy leaks. Be honest with yourself. The goal isn’t to beat yourself up. The goal is to bring awareness so you can begin to plug these leaks.
Energy leaks can originate at work or at home, but we aren’t very good at compartmentalizing the two. So take these leaks seriously—they could be affecting both your performance at work and your productivity and happiness at home.
Unfinished Tasks
The first type of energy leak is something that is unfinished at work or in your personal life—something you just need to buckle down and take care of. At work, it may be the unanswered email, messy desk, difficult phone call, or document that needs to be finalized and submitted. Even minor incomplete tasks can clutter your mental space and drain your energy reserves.
At home, it could be a recipe you planned to make (while the ingredients wilt in the fridge), an overflowing laundry basket, sidestepped conversation. overdue doctor’s appointment, or half-done home improvement project.
Sometimes the task is merely pesky, but other times it’s something that brings a deep sense of dread. Regardless of what it is, this unfinished task hangs over your head and leaks your energy. Can you identify one of these energy leaks in your life?
When faced with an undesirable task, our tendency is to put it off till later, as if there’s some magical time in the future when the task will not seem quite so daunting. As we linger in this state of procrastination, the mere thought of the impending task triggers a sense of stress, whether it consciously nags at us or silently tugs at our subconscious. To escape this unease, we resort to distractions—scrolling through social media, rummaging for a snack, or even surrendering to a brief nap. The aim is simple: we try to distract ourselves as we avoid the unpleasant feeling the unfinished task brings.
As the task remains open, it becomes more urgent, and we start to feel the stress. Many of us unknowingly rely on this stress to motivate ourselves to complete the task. It’s as if we need to feel the heat before we are moved to action. In the meantime, we spend a lot of time in dread, and we often end up having to sacrifice personal and family time to get the job done. The whole process is draining.
If you have unfinished tasks hanging over your head, consider what they are costing you in terms of your mental, social, and spiritual health. Consider whether there’s an action you can take to address this unfinished task. If not, can you cross it off your list and consider it unnecessary? Be intentional about these tasks, and realize that for every task you leave open, you pay a price for the space it takes up in your mind and heart.
Relationship Dynamics
Maybe your energy leak is a relationship that’s bringing you down. Tense or strained relationships in the workplace or in our personal lives create emotional leaks, affecting our focus and productivity. Addressing these dynamics, whether through open communication or by setting clear boundaries, is vital.
We often allow toxic presences—people or situations—to remain in our lives. When we do this, we surround ourselves with an energy that is the opposite of the positivity and peace we desire.
Maybe it’s your relationship with your boss, where you feel unappreciated or criticized on a regular basis. Perhaps it’s a friendship that is one-sided, and you often feel unimportant or overlooked. It could be a group dynamic that leaves you feeling uncentered and out of alignment with your heart every time you walk away.
Take inventory of your relationships and these dynamics, and decide if a conversation is needed. If you don’t believe this will do any good, try to limit your interaction with this person or environment as you seek to let go of the feelings of disappointment. It’s important that we surround ourselves with people who will help us become better versions of ourselves, and vice versa.
Physical Environment
Your physical workspace has a massive impact on your mental state. An uninspiring or disorganized workspace or home environment can dramatically hinder motivation and productivity. Take time to organize and personalize your space, as this can do wonders for your energy and focus.
Do you have a messy office with a cluttered desk or binders stacked in the corner? Perhaps your workspace is too bland, with nothing that inspires you?
At home, is there a cluttered room that nags at you? Is your home filled with reminders of something from your past that no longer brings you joy? Perhaps your surroundings simply do not reflect who you are anymore—or who you aspire to be?
It has been said that environment beats will 95% of the time. If you are trying to practice better habits (will) but your environment doesn’t support these habits, you are fighting a losing battle. Take care of your environment and watch your energy soar.
Unresolved Emotions
Lingering emotions such as frustration, anxiety, or disappointment can significantly impact productivity. Acknowledging and addressing these emotions is essential for maintaining a healthy emotional state. Many organizations have employee assistance programs or health benefits that provide support for any challenges you may be going through in your personal or professional life. Seek to resolve these emotions. Buried emotions don’t disappear. They erupt at the most unexpected times, often when the heat turns up on the job or at home. Work through your emotions, and notice how your energy returns.
Unnecessary Complexity
Life has a way of becoming overly complex at times. We overthink, over-plan, and overcomplicate matters. Whether it’s in our work tasks, personal projects, or even relationships, simplifying can often bring clarity and save considerable energy.
Try to streamline your life. Break complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on the essential aspects and eliminate unnecessary elements. Tighten your circle of trusted friends. Embrace simplicity where possible—it’s not about cutting corners but rather finding efficient ways to achieve the same results. Simplification allows us to direct our energy purposefully instead of diffusing it across multiple priorities.
Multitasking
The myth of multitasking persists, but research shows that multitasking actually diminishes productivity and drains our energy. Constantly switching between tasks divides our attention, leading to reduced work quality and increased fatigue.
Instead, practice mindfulness and single-tasking—engaging fully in one task at a time. This approach not only improves the quality of our work but also preserves our energy by allowing us to focus entirely on the task at hand.
Inability to Say No
Learning to say no is a powerful skill in preserving our energy and maintaining healthy boundaries. Saying yes to everything—whether it’s extra work, social commitments, or favors—can lead to burnout and stress. It’s essential to discern between obligations that align with our priorities and those that will drain our energy unnecessarily.
Setting boundaries and politely declining when necessary is not selfish. It enables us to allocate our time and energy to what truly matters.
Media Consumption
Constant exposure to social media and sensationalized news cycles can be overwhelming. They flood us with information, much of it negative or fear-based, consuming our mental and emotional energy.
Limiting screen time, especially on platforms that don’t serve us positively, can significantly reduce this energy leak. Choose intentional and mindful consumption of information. Stay informed but avoid getting swept away by the constant stream of updates and drama. Instead, engage in activities that replenish your energy.
Lack of Self-Care
Self-care is essential for recharging our energy. Neglecting self-care, whether it’s through lack of rest, fresh air, exercise, or proper nutrition, can lead to significant energy leaks.
Allocate time for activities that rejuvenate you—exercise, hobbies, time outdoors, adequate sleep, and nourishing meals. It can be very difficult to break away from your desk when working on an all-consuming task, but by taking a break you will actually increase your productivity. Be sure to replenish your energy reserves, which will improve your overall well-being and have noticeable effects on your productivity at home and at work.
Negative Thoughts and Interactions
Negative thoughts and gossip create a draining atmosphere. These activities not only affect your mental and emotional state but also impact your relationships and the energy you emit. On the flip side, investing in positive relationships and interactions at work and at home significantly impacts overall energy and well-being.
Cultivate kindness and empathy in all your interactions. Resist the urge to be drawn into petty complaints, drama, and negative talk about others. It can be tempting to be “in the know,” but it’s an energy leak whether you realize it or not. The most energized people steer clear of negativity and intentionally engage in positive thoughts and interactions.
Guard Your Energy
Until now, did you realize there were so many energy leaks in your life? Perhaps you don’t need that extra cup of coffee each day—perhaps you need to clear out some energy leaks!
Everything in your life is either giving you energy or stealing your energy.
When you become aware of your energy leaks and do something about them, you will switch to a much higher energy state.
More energy allows you to:
- create rather than consume
- show up as the best version of yourself
- be more productive at work and at home
- enjoy your down time
- discover hidden passions
- view the world differently
- improve your relationships with others
- improve your relationship with yourself
So, take inventory of your energy leaks. Be on the lookout every day. As you become more adept at spotting and sealing these energy leaks, you’re not just fixing leaks. You’re opening the door to a higher frequency of living. And that will benefit you at work, at home, and everywhere in between.