I love your energy

No vampires allowed! ❌🧛‍♂️

If there’s one compliment I get more than any other, it’s this: “I love your energy.”

Seriously, I’ve had perfect strangers go out of their way to tell me this, my clients remark on it, and it’s something nearly every person who’s interviewed me has said.

Even my husband called me a “glowing ball of happiness” when we first met decades ago.

I cherish those words because it affirms I’m positively impacting that person, leaving them better than I found them, more positive and uplifted.

But honestly, all that good energy isn’t one-sided.

When I have a conversation with someone, and we’re really vibing (which happens a lot because people fascinate me), I’m the one who gets the rush. I feel like I’ve had a super boost of serotonin and a Peet’s almond milk latte with steamed cinnamon: warm and fuzzy, ready to conquer the world.

Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to energy as well.

Like me, you’ve probably suffered the effects of people who steal our joy and give off bad juju. Those “energy vampires” leave us feeling drained, depleted, and add to that “blah” feeling that has accompanied so much of our pandemic-filled existence.

And sometimes, it’s not even the people but the places we hang out and the things we do (hello, doom-scrolling) that sabotage our energy.

Though it may seem inconsequential, your energy powers all that you do. When you’ve filled your tank with energy, that fuel helps propel you to leave your comfort zone and tackle new challenges. It gives you that extra boost to go after your dreams and persevere, even when the going gets tough.

Let’s be honest: making career progress becomes exponentially more difficult when you’re operating from a place of low energy. It negatively affects your mood and drive and can leave you unmotivated and uninspired.

Uh, no thanks.

Knowing how, where, and from whom you obtain your energy can make the difference between a career that soars and one that stagnates. 

Here’s how to identify your sources of positive energy—and fix those that are not—to create an environment of career success:

Get into the habit of asking yourself how you feel

Tap into your self-awareness to home in on your feelings about where you spend your time, what you’re doing, and with whom. We all have people, places, and activities that either bolster us or bog us down; it’s wise to get to know how each makes us feel.

Assess your current career environment

Once you’ve gotten into the habit of paying attention to the elements of your career environment (which includes your friends, colleagues, location, patterns, and lifestyle), you’ll begin to see that they impact you far more—for better or for worse—than you realize.

It’s not just the who but also the what you surround yourself with that can either propel you forward or hold you back.

Adjust accordingly

Real career growth happens when we understand who energizes us and what best supports what we want and align ourselves with those people and places.

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And speaking of identifying positive energy sources, how do you know if YOU are one — or someone who sucks the life out of the room, utterly clueless about their effect on others?

If you suspect you might be the latter, there’s good news: You can cultivate the two aspects needed to combat that undesirable outcome.

In my latest Forbes article, I share six ways to master self-awareness and energy.

Shine on,

Amy

P.S. Now that we’re inbox-exclusive (love that about us!), why not follow my musings across the interwebs on Forbes, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram too?

P.P.S If you really want to get meta, subscribe to my new weekly LinkedIn newsletter, momentum, featuring insights to help you maintain positive motion and continually grow your career. (As a bonus, it links to ALL of my content for the week, so you’ll never miss a thing and keep the momentum going!)

P.P.P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or doing my best to radiate positive energy, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders, entrepreneurs, and CXOs craft their stories to communicate and connect better by magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.

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