Over the past 25 years, I have asked these questions of thousands of dedicated, hard-working health care providers but the same answers most likely apply to educators today. Not only did they indicate more often than not they were low on energy, but many also reported they didn’t know how to refuel or couldn’t remember how they used to do so.  I don’t believe this is a coincidence. Instead of self-monitoring and honoring one’s own needs, it is common to click into high gear and stay there intending to just “push through” in order to bring a mission to fruition. We often walk around with this unconscious assumption that we will somehow automatically just get what we need for ourselves, even as we attend to everyone else’s needs and neglect our own in the process. This is a problematic and errant assumption. It is imperative that we systematically, intentionally, and consciously plan to attend to our own needs along the way.  

One of the most debilitating symptoms of energy depletion is loss of overall perspective.  Diminished frustration tolerance, lack of empathy, foggy thinking, poor memory, and difficulties problem solving are also signs of a depleted energy tank. If you find yourself taking on some of these characteristics, remember this is not an indication of a flaw but rather this is a sign of simply a person with depleted energy. The best way to rectify this? Assess your inner energy gauge, treat yourself with grace and self-compassion, and come up with a plan to refuel.