The Invisible Work Drain: Setting Energetic Boundaries
The workplace can be an energetic drain!
Whether you work in an office or from home, maintaining strong energetic boundaries is essential for staying charged and productive.
I see it constantly - people absorbing their colleagues' stress, taking on emotional labour that isn't theirs, and letting work drain their life force until there's nothing left for themselves or their loved ones.
Your work environment might be filled with different energies: an anxious boss, a negative coworker, a demanding client. Without strong boundaries, you become a sponge for all of it.
You can work on your energetic boundaries by:
Being clear about what's yours and what isn’t. Stepping back and getting really clear about a problem and whose responsibility it is will help.
Learning to say no without guilt. Always staying late, being available and fixing other people’s problems is exhausting! And you end up not getting your own work done!
Creating physical and emotional space when needed. Going off site for lunch or for a walk to get coffee can be an excellent energy reset.
Protecting your energy during challenging interactions. You know who the difficult people are! Be ready for them. I use an imaginary glass garage door to keep annoying energy separate from mine! Imagine a clear glass door rolling down in between you. You are still present but their energy cannot attach itself to you.
Practice what you are going to say. Stay calm. Ask for what you need. Ask them if and when they are able to do what you need done.Know when to disconnect and recharge. If you feel burnt out, you probably are. Take a day off before the day takes you!!
The most powerful ability you can develop is to stay centered in your own energy while others are spinning in chaos. This doesn't mean being cold or uncaring - it means maintaining your energetic sovereignty while still being professionally effective.
You can be supportive without taking on everyone else's stuff. You can be productive without sacrificing your own vitality. You can be successful without letting work consume your entire energetic field.
ENERGY CLUB UPDATES:
Are you a parent or do you know someone who needs parenting energy? Check out yesterday's episode of the Energy Club podcast here where I talked about the challenges of parenting and shared some practical advice on managing your energy at all stages of life: encourage independence, set boundaries and rules, stay healthy, and enjoy the journey.