Energy Management Pt. 4

Jun 04, 2025

Hey friend, welcome back! This is the final episode in my 4-part mini-series on energy management, and I’m so excited to bring it all together with you today.

Over the past few episodes, I’ve shared:

What energy really means in leadership (beyond just physical stamina)
The four energy zones and how to identify where you’re operating
How to restore your energy by managing your inputs, sleep, nutrition, boundaries, and emotional load

And now? It’s time to integrate all of that into a repeatable, personalized rhythm, a system that supports your leadership, protects your peace, and honors you as the human behind the mission.

Energy Management Is a Habit, Not a Hustle

Here’s the biggest shift I’ve had to make: energy management isn’t a goal I check off, it’s a system I build with small, intentional habits. I love the way James Clear says it: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

If my system is built on people-pleasing, perfectionism, and pushing through, my energy is going to run out fast. But when I create habits that actually protect and replenish me, my energy becomes renewable.

My 4-Part Energy System Framework

Here’s the four-part framework I use, and what I shared in this episode, to help build a personalized energy system:

1. Awareness

I start by checking in with myself: “What zone am I in today?” This daily practice helps me notice what depletes me, what recharges me, and when I need to shift gears. I like doing a one-minute energy check-in in the morning and mid-afternoon, just rating my energy from 1–10 and asking what’s influencing it.

2. Alignment

Once I know where I’m at, I align my work with my energy. If I’m feeling energized, that’s my moment for deep work or creative thinking. If I’m drained, I give myself permission to focus on admin tasks or take a recovery break. I keep a list of high- and low-energy tasks near my desk so I can quickly adjust based on how I feel.

3. Recovery Rituals

Recovery isn’t optional, it’s essential. I’ve built micro (2–5 min), meso (15–60 min), and macro (full day or more) rituals into my schedule to help me reset and recharge. From a quick walk outside to a weekend with no plans, these breaks make sure I’m not just pushing through, I’m refueling intentionally.

4. Protecting the System (Identity + Boundaries)

This is where it gets personal. I realized I had to change how I see myself. Instead of believing I only deserve rest when I hit a wall, I started telling myself:

“I am the kind of leader who honors her limits. I’m building a life where burnout isn’t required.”

That identity shift changed everything. Because once I started believing I was worthy of rest and protection, my habits and boundaries naturally started to follow.

My Personal Prompts

Here are the prompts I’m using to stay grounded in this work. I invite you to use them too:

I am the kind of person who protects her energy by…
My signs of depletion are…
My energizing habits include…
Here’s how I recover when I feel drained…
A boundary I will hold this week to protect my energy is…

Final Thoughts

This mini-series has been such a joy to share with you. If there’s one thing I hope you walk away with, it’s this: your energy isn’t just something you have, it’s something you build. One small habit at a time.

So be kind to yourself. Be intentional. Start small. Start today.

Thank you so much for listening to the Leading With Heart podcast. If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode with someone who needs it. And if you want all my resources in one place (and a sneak peek at some big things coming soon), join my email list, you’ll be the first to know when my new app launches!

Let’s keep leading with heart.

RESOURCES:

North Star Meditation: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/de6f72ebb6

Atomic Habits - James Clear

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