Years ago, I went to see my regular massage therapist and he mentioned that my body felt different and was less tense. I thought for a moment and responded with, “Oh I quit my job.” Now, I was in the midst of transitioning from one job to another and had some down time in between. Prior to this, I held tension and stress in my muscles, largely in my shoulders and neck, but now my massage therapist was picking up on something different. To me, this was evidence that my mental stress had been physically manifesting in a physical state. It's been years since I left that role, but after having dinner with a dear friend this week, I started reflecting again on this idea of energy currency. 

Working in a school district during COVID was a surreal experience. At first, working from home felt like a dream. I imagined having ample time to ideate, reflect, create, and truly optimize that space. I was sorely mistaken. Aside from the worries around COVID, every moment of time was taken, over several hours beyond the typical work day. Upon transitioning back to the physical work space, there was still no time to pause and reflect about what we’d all collectively endured. Additionally, every space was draining. I was drained while working from home and I was drained in the transition back. 

After leaving that job, there was a point in my new role where I looked at my online calendar and saw open space. I remember wondering how I would fill that time. I had been conditioned to fill every open space. In previous roles, I often found myself moving from meeting to meeting, constantly asking: when is the work actually supposed to get done? That pace can feel productive, but it often becomes a cycle, like being on the hamster wheel I mentioned in last week’s article. And while delegation is part of the solution, it doesn’t fully address the deeper issue. As a leader, I want to do more than move from meeting to meeting. I want to create the space to think, to act, and to lead with intention. 

And in that space, I began to realize something even more fundamental.

Energy is our true currency. It fuels our decisions, shapes our interactions, and determines the quality of what we produce and who we become. Unlike time, which moves whether we are intentional or not, energy is something we actively invest. And like any currency, it is finite. We have a limited reserve each day. Once it’s spent, it’s spent.  We extend ourselves out of habit, obligation, or expectation, without pausing to ask a critical question: Is this worthy of my energy?

It did not take long for me to begin to honor the open space in my calendar and recognize what that space was giving me. It was giving me energy. I had energy to stop and think. I had energy to reflect and create. I had energy to be present!

In my current role, I work with district systems all over the country who each have different needs, require a different set of resources, require a different approach. I have the opportunity to teach superintendents, cabinet members, principals and other school leaders throughout various times of the year. Creating engaging content happens in an intentional, thought provoking, designated space. 

It is essential that we monitor and assess who and what receives our energy and how much they are given. This is not about selfishness; it is about stewardship. The way we allocate our energy determines our capacity to lead, to think clearly, to create, and to show up fully where it matters most.

You may be reading this and thinking that you are not in a position to leave your job. Please know that is not the main point. That is my story but let’s look more at yours and your situation. Think about the people around you and who you interact with on a daily basis. Some people and spaces multiply your energy, they inspire, challenge, and sharpen you. Others deplete it, leaving you diminished, distracted, and disconnected from your purpose. The discipline lies in knowing the difference and acting accordingly.

Boundaries, then, are not barriers. They are budgets. They ensure that your energy is aligned with your values, your purpose, and your priorities. They allow you to invest deeply rather than spread yourself thin. They protect your ability to operate with clarity, intention, and impact.

When you begin to treat your energy like currency, your choices shift. You become more discerning, more intentional and more aligned. You become more present.

As you move in to the next week/month/quarter, consider the following:

If your energy is your most valuable currency, what intentional investments must you make, and what must you stop funding, to lead with clarity, purpose, and power?

Check Out: Saddler Consulting, LLC