Want More Energy? Plug Your Drains

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In her bestselling book, Take Time for Your Life, author Cheryl Richardson encourages readers who want to feel less stressed and more energetic to plug their drains. By drains, she's referring to the things you've been avoiding in life: everything from paying a visit to the doctor, to dealing with your money problems, to clearing the clutter from your home, to letting go of a relationship that no longer fits.

As a personal coach, she works with clients who want to take on all kinds of challenges, from slimming down, to switching careers, to finding the perfect relationship. But before she helps them create a plan to carry out their goals, she asks them to compile a complete list of what's been draining them, eventually paring it down to a list of their top 10 drains.

Why does Richardson ask them to do this? Because it's those nagging "holes" that distract you, make you feel guilty, and suck the life force out of you, leaving you with less energy to pour into the things in life that matter most. Her theory is that once you begin plugging your drains, you will have more energy and enthusiasm to take on new goals and challenges.

So what are your top 10 energy drains? Are your closets littered with clothes from the ‘90s? Have you been meaning to eat healthier, but keep putting it off? Is the danger of your rising debt keeping you up at night?

Once you have compiled your Top 10 Drain List, work on whittling it down. Begin, by choosing a drain to close that's either easy to plug or a high priority. So, say you have been putting off a visit to the doctor's office. Set a deadline for when you're going to schedule an appointment, and then make the call.

To plug a challenging drain, you may need a more elaborate plan and some additional support in the form of a coach or mentor. Regardless of the size of your drain, it's helpful to build some accountability into the process and to set a specific deadline. So, for example, consider sharing the details of your drain-plugging plan with your coach, or even a friend or family member. That way, if you "forget" to accomplish your task on schedule, someone will hold you accountable.

Once you've successfully plugged a drain, see if you don't feel a little more energetic. That's certainly been my experience. Each time I complete a task I've been putting off, I feel a little bit lighter.

Ellen H. Brown

Professional Wellness Coach and Life Coach

Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching

www.wellnessjourneys.com

ebrown@wellnessjourneys.com

216.371.1299