Leadership burnout often isn’t about a lack of time -- it’s about how we spend our energy. Just like our finances, energy is a limited resource. If we overspend, we end up depleted. But if we invest wisely, we can show up as our best selves --even during the busiest, most demanding seasons.
I learned this lesson the hard way during my first principalship.
I was eager, committed, and determined to give 110%. I arrived early, stayed late, answered every call, and said yes to every request. I was always “on” -- because I believed that’s what great leaders do. But I didn’t set boundaries. I didn’t create space to recharge. And I didn’t realize, until it caught up with me, that I was giving so much away that there was nothing left in the tank.
I started noticing signs of burnout... short patience, trouble focusing, even resentment. I wasn’t showing up the way I wanted to. And that’s when I realized: this isn’t just about managing time. It’s about managing energy.
Since then, I try to be just as intentional with my energy as I am with my money.
Each morning and week, I reflect:
~What’s draining me right now?
~What’s filling me back up?
~Where do I need to set a boundary or make a better investment?
One quote that’s guided me through this journey is from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor:
“Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into the room.”
Dr. Taylor, a neuroscientist, shares her story in My Stroke of Insight, where she describes having a stroke and watching, in real time, as her body shut down.
While in the hospital, she was unable to move or speak, but she was completely aware of the energy people brought into her room. Some medical staff rushed in and out, checking charts with distraction in their eyes. Others entered calmly, gently touching her foot and speaking softly, even when she couldn’t respond.
She felt the difference.
The experience led her to post a note on her hospital door: “Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into the room.”
As educators, we lead rooms all day long. Classrooms. Conference rooms. Offices. Hallways. And whether we realize it or not, our energy speaks before we do. It’s contagious. So we have to be aware of what we’re bringing in.
Jon Gordon talks about energy vampires: people, tasks, or habits that suck the energy out of a space. Maybe it’s that standing meeting that never has a clear purpose. Or the unresolved tension that lingers after a difficult conversation. Or the pressure we put on ourselves to be available 24/7. Those are withdrawals from our energy budget.
That’s why I do weekly energy audits. I ask myself:
- Which meetings or tasks consistently drain me?
- What three things reliably fill me back up?
For me, the bucket-fillers are:
- A long walk with a great podcast
- Time outside, working in the yard
- Sitting by the pool and listening to the water in the bubblers
These aren’t luxuries -- they’re necessities. They’re deposits into my energy account.
Because here’s the truth: Energy isn’t unlimited -- but it is renewable. And just like budgeting money, when we’re aware of where our energy is going, we can make smarter choices that serve us and those we lead.
So here’s your challenge for the week:
1. Do a quick energy audit.
2. Identify one thing to release.
3. Name one thing that refuels you.
You are your most important resource. Protect your peace. Lead with intention, and protect the energy you bring into the room.
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