Not Everything That Takes Energy Drains You

My alarm went off at 5am.

It was still dark, the house was quiet, and I will admit that staying tucked up in bed where it was warm felt considerably more appealing than getting ready and heading into Wellington.

I had been invited along to a Bx Networking breakfast and was attending my first meeting.

That meant an early start, travelling into the city, walking into an unfamiliar room, and introducing myself to people I had never met before. It would have been very easy to talk myself out of going… and I nearly did just that But I went. And what surprised me was that I came home feeling more energised than when I left.

Yes, the early start required “physical energy.” Walking into a new environment and meeting unfamiliar people required “emotional energy.” Listening to different business stories, learning about what people do, and taking part in new conversations engaged my “mental energy”. But there was another form of energy present too. The energy that comes from connection, curiosity, shared purpose, and possibility.

I think we sometimes misunderstand what it means to protect our energy. We assume it means doing less, avoiding discomfort, staying within familiar routines, or saying no to anything that might require extra effort. Sometimes that is exactly what we need. But not always. Not everything that takes energy drains us.

Some experiences require something from us physically, mentally, or emotionally, but give us far more in return. They wake us up. They challenge our thinking. They remind us that there is a wider world beyond our usual routines, responsibilities, and to-do lists.

Working with our energy means paying attention to more than whether we are physically tired. We have four interconnected energy zones:

Physical energy gives us the capacity to take action.

Emotional energy affects how we respond to change, uncertainty, and other people.

Mental energy supports our focus, thinking, creativity, and decision-making.

Spiritual energy connects us with purpose, meaning, belonging, and what matters most to us.

When one of these areas is neglected, it affects the others. And when an experience nourishes several of them at once, it can leave us feeling surprisingly restored—even after a 5am start. My morning at Bx networking meeting reminded me that stepping outside our comfort zone does not always deplete us. Sometimes it is exactly where new energy is waiting. So perhaps the question is not simply:

“Will this take energy?”

Perhaps the better question is:

“What kind of energy might this give me in return?”

With Focus and Intention

Heather

P.S. If this one hit home, you’re not alone. I write for high achieving women in business and leadership who are done with busy and ready for clarity. Follow me Heather Hutchings on LinkedIn for real conversations on leading with energy, not exhaustion.

Enquire about bringing me to speak at your next conference or leadership event at [email protected] or enquire about applications for my “Hidden Advantage” group coaching program.

I Stepped Outside My Comfort Zone—and Came Home Energised