Stand In Your Power and Just Be

One of the biggest concerns new coaching clients tell me is that they lack energy and motivation. It's not that they lack desire, it's just that they can't seem to get going and they're stuck in a powerless void.

So one of the first things we discuss is how to plug their energy leaks before trying to fill their tank. It goes along the concept of "You can't fill from an empty bucket." Most people want to be able to do a better job for themselves, their families, and their communities. But they find themselves falling short of their goals and they're not sure why they can't find the energy to get motivated. So before we can fill up with juicy goodness and get re-energized, we have to find out where the leaks are and plug them.

Here are a few common energy leaks:

Needlessly apologizing. If you feel the need to constantly apologize for your behavior, then figure out what's causing you to be in that situation in the first place. Become more aware of what's going on in your life and how that's causing a snowball effect. The energy you expend on apologizing and worrying what others will think can be better used to find out what the real issue is and take positive action.

Over-explaining yourself. Do you really owe those people an explanation? If there's something you don't want to do, somewhere you don't want to go, an activity you don't want to participate in, then just say no. Or say, "thank you for thinking of me, but I won't be able to do that." Much less energy is expended by saying no when you mean no than by trying to carefully word an explanation that tiptoes around the truth.

Making excuses. This goes along with the above item, but it also includes that you stop making excuses for the people or things in your life that no longer serve you, who bring you down, or prevent you from living a life that lights you up.

Blaming and complaining. Oftentimes, when you blame or complain, you're directing your energy at the wrong target. If you choose to put energy into this, then make it count. Contact whoever can make the change, who can fix the problem, or who can take action. Sometimes it's the person himself/herself, sometimes it's a manager, sometimes it's an official agency designed to investigate and enforce legal directives . Sometimes it's all of the above and more. So stop complaining and take direct action. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on positive steps you can take to correct, change, or challenge a situation.

Minimizing who you are. You have more power than you think. You are more capable than you know. You are more wise than you realize. Give yourself some grace and move forward with the knowledge that you are more than who you think you are and your full potential is still untapped--no matter what age, no matter what stage. Be authentically you and go be the powerhouse you were born to be.