I get questions about how introverts can maintain their energy amongst all the responsibilities and relationships we have (it's a popular topic, especially for new subscribers) and it's in my own personal awareness most days. Now, with holidays around the corner, energy (aka 'How am I going to have the energy to do it all and still have reserves left for pleasure too?') is on my mind even more.
Here's the thing. I'm still trying to figure it out myself.
Awareness is one thing. Daily practice and making change requires ongoing commitment. So, in my opinion, this is not about seeking perfection (aka figuring out the exact right equation); it's about getting better at managing our personal energy AND knowing how to get back on track when life sends us a curve ball.
Our guest contributor this week is Tanja Gardner, Coach for Introvert Entrepreneurs and owner of Conscious Introvert Success.
I met Tanja through her free Conscious Introvert Awesomeness community for introverted heart-based business owners on Facebook.
Tanja helps her introverted business clients with their energy issues (among other things), so I'm happy to share her wisdom with you this week. Don't worry, you don't have to be a business owner to benefit from her tips and resources.
We all want to feel like we have the energy to do what's important to us...so clarify and choose what that looks like for YOU.
Read on for more wisdom from Tanja Gardner and learn her three tips for introvert holiday survival through energy management.
Be Brave. Be Seen. Be True.
Sending positive energy your way,
Marla Hunter-Bellavia
Your Wise Introvert Coach & Mentor
Wisdom Community: Introverted Women in Business
My work is about investing in women - introverted women in particular.
So I'm excited to be collaborating with some amazing introvert solopreneurs to create this section of the newsletter.
You'll receive words of wisdom, inspiration and the occasional special offer from ordinary introverts - just like you and me - who decided to start a business and gather the courage to put themselves out there to be seen in a bigger way.
And there will likely be a bit of myth busting along the way; seeing beyond the stereotypes of what introversion "looks like".
The goal? Introverted women supporting and inspiring each other to create authentic success in life and work. It's a quiet yet powerful form of positive community building.
I encourage you to both tap into the wisdom of these introverted women AND support them by following their newsletters and/or social media and sharing their info with your friends. Fellow introverts, let's help each other... In this issue, I'm pleased to feature the wisdom of fellow introvert, Tanja Gardner, owner of Conscious Introvert Success.
Holiday Survival for Introverts: Why Energy Management is so ESSENTIAL
Regardless of the traditions you follow, the holiday season can be an exhausting period for everyone: introverts and extroverts alike. But for us introverts, the season can be particularly draining. Here’s what you can do to get through it with sanity intact, and without feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck by the end of it.
#1 - Recognise the everyday things that drain you
So much of energy management for introverts revolves around knowing what most drains you. Remember that, as an introvert, you’ll tend to need to “spend energy” on interacting (even if you’re enjoying yourself), and then recharge again when you’re alone.
Of course, there’s more to your personality than just introversion, and every introvert is unique. So interacting probably won’t be the only thing in your life that leaves you drained. Sometimes your personal energy-sinks can seem obvious; but more often, they demand some active, deliberate mindful observation and tracking to uncover.
Just as budgeting starts with getting real about your day-to-day expenses, energy management begins with doing the same with the drains in your everyday life.
#2 - Acknowledge and budget for the extra energy demands of the season
Once you’ve identified your day-to-day energy sinks, it’s time to acknowledge that the energy load during the holiday season will increase. It’s a challenging time to be an introvert, with shorter work/business deadlines, gift shopping madness, and a borderline-obsessive cultural focus on being social. Plus, more than any other time of year, people assume that the alone time you need to maintain your sanity is a sign of something being wrong.
Remember that you just have one energy reserve that needs to “fuel” your interactions across your work, family and social lives. Decide wisely where you want to spend that energy (think of it as energy budgeting). There are no right answers here. Just realise that if you include a lot of social engagements one week, you might need to cut back on other energy-intensive activities for while.
#3 - Don’t forget to increase your recharging activities
Energy management isn’t just about limiting the energy you spend: it’s also about deliberately, consciously making space for activities that refuel you. Many introverts find that if they “bookend” an energy-intensive event like a Christmas lunch with activities that recharge them, they feel far less drained afterwards.
Again, every introvert is unique, and what replenishes my energy levels might have no effect (or even create more drain) for you. So again, observe and track your energy over time to see what works best for you.
Conscious Introvert Success: What if you need help figuring out your energy responses?
If you’re not quite sure exactly how to go about monitoring and tracking your energy levels over the holiday season, help is available. Try asking other introverts you know for support, feedback, and maybe a suggestion or three on how they’d handle things.
Tanja Gardner from Conscious Introvert Success is a deeply introverted (but not even *slightly* shy!) heart-based entrepreneur who helps fellow introverts to grow their businesses without exhausting themselves.
If you find that you need some clarity, courage, support, and accountability to shift gears toward what you prefer in your life/work, I invite you to contact me to see if the Wise Focus (1 month) personal coaching option is a fit for you.
(Add your name to the wait list to start in January 2015!)
Your month of 'just you and me' coaching will focus on choosing more of what fits for YOU so you can feel a sense of belonging in your own life and work.
I become a part of your success team - intensely focused on helping you to BE BRAVE, BE SEEN, BE TRUE, whatever that looks like for YOU (let's say, for example, that you want to tweak your career or create something that's been 'just an idea' to this point). We'll do most of this by email for your convenience.
And keep watching because I'm excited to be in the process of creating online training packages for you.
Wise Introvert - Coaching for Introverts. A little hot pink for the excitement of possibility while remaining grounded in our introvert truth. Taking authentic and inspired action.
