What's Draining Your Energy?
 By Barbra White

Lots of things can drain our energy, often without our awareness.  Even seemingly insignificant things like a scuffed shoe, an unwritten thank-you note, or a stack of papers on our desk all use up precious energy by distracting and annoying us each day. It's very difficult to experience JOY in life if you're putting up with a lot!

Talane Miedaner, author of "Coach Yourself to Success", has found that most people tolerate between 60 to 100 things in their lives. By starting to eliminate things that are undone or incomplete in your life, you'll free up loads of energy to tackle bigger, more important goals - like finding more JOY in your life!

Sound overwhelming? You'll be surprised at how easy it is once you follow these steps:

1.  Make a List:  Write down 15 to 20 things you are tolerating about your work, home, friends, your pets, your habits (you can add to this list as you discover more.)  Pay close attention to the details of your everyday life, since most of us are numb to these annoyances. Don't worry about the ones that seem too tough to handle, just write them down and the solutions will come to you in time. Check out the "Common Energy Drainers" listed below to get you going.

2.  Start Small: Don't try to tackle your whole garage.  For the first step pick a smaller task, like I did, with a medicine cabinet that annoyed me each time I opened it. After throwing old prescription bottles and unneeded toothbrushes away, the new space I had created inspired me to tackle other cabinets and drawers throughout the house.

3.  Tackle 4 Tolerations a Week:  E-mail a friend and tell each other what you're going to eliminate that week. Putting it in writing will work wonders for you! One of my clients, Dianne, surprised herself by tackling double what she intended to do the first week. I'm convinced it will work for you, too, TRY IT! It's very contagious, and others will love sharing their victories with you.

Here are some Common Energy Drainers:

Clutter:  Ever notice how great you feel after you clean out a closet? Uncluttering your  life is a liberating experience, and it will give you a huge burst of energy.  Remember to start small; clean out a drawer or throw away some old magazines.   Soon you'll feel ready to conquer bigger projects.

Petty Annoyances:   Look for the little things you try to ignore each day - sew on that button, fix those squeaky brakes, or get those shoes resoled.  Noticing that the car needs vacuuming each time you get in it takes another piece of energy from you!  Get these minor but distracting annoyances out of your life and crossed off your list! Hire help when necessary.

Relationships:   Is there someone you need to forgive, or thank? A letter or phone call you've  been avoiding? Are your friends and co-workers positive and upbeat or do they  leave you feeling drained or uptight? Start surrounding yourself with people who love and support you. Join an organization or start a hobby that will enable you to meet people with similar interests and enthusiasm.

Caffeine and Sugar:   Even though a cup of coffee or a candy bar gives you a quick burst of energy, they'll both leave you more drained once the buzz wears off. You'll find that your energy levels and your concentration will be more even and balanced during the day if you cut back or even eliminate these habits.

Once you've started clearing out the little pesky stuff in your life, you'll have the vitality and strength to find more people, things, thoughts and ideas that bring you JOY! Use your new energy to think of one thing you want to add to your life that will excite you... start a new book, take a class, or buy fresh flowers.

If you can't think of this one thing yet, go back to getting rid of more drains, and you'll free up your mind for discovering what will bring you joy in your life!  I'd love to hear about your experiences!  Send an email and share your wins or struggles.

** Special Coaching Offer from the Author **

I'm currently offering a free month of personal coaching. Please email me for details.  I'm a life and career coach who LOVES to support people in their desire to enhance the quality of their lives, pursue their dreams, and to find their ideal work.  Email me at   BWCoaching@aol.com

To order "Coach Yourself to Success"  just click here.