I recently spoke with a master-level meditator, psychotherapist, a lawyer, and a former candidate for state senate.  Each of these women is wildly successful, super busy, and totally normal.  The best part about this group was that each one had a slightly different take on what works and what doesn’t.  But the common theme was: You must care of yourself, spend time with supportive people, and for goodness sake, get some rest, so that you can be the change that you want to see in the world.   

Most women will agree that life is riddled with pressures that overwhelm us, throw us off our goals, and frequently result in low energy and depletion.  When depletion is prolonged, it can lead us to feeling anxious or like a puddle on the floor.  The funny thing is, we often aren’t taught any other way by our predecessors.  In fact, when help comes our way, we tend to turn it away, saying, “no thanks, I’ve got it.”  Each of our interviewees knows that she needs the help of others to continue to sustain herself so that she can be of service, have the energy for more of what she loves, and feel good along the way.  And isn’t that really what we all want?

Master meditator, Thought Technology Influencer, and mother of 8, Tami Green, is a role model for working mothers.  She fully understands what it is like to feel pulled all the time.  Although she truly loves her children and being a mother, she admits that it is ”the most distracting experience because it is so hard to focus.”  In fact, during her most typical days, she will be “just going” with all of her responsibilities and have no time for herself. 

But, she has a solution that we all can use.  If her energy is low and she feels caught up, she takes a lot of little moments during the day.  She uses small 5 minute chunks, 5-20 times per day, during which she disconnects from digital and takes a moment to be quiet and listen.  “This is where all of the answers lie, where problems get solved, and where I connect to the good of those who I am serving.”  She stressed that connection to others is important.  “I think that we need humanity and clear focus” to have the energy to keep going.

Green’s favorite tool to use with her clients to reduce overwhelm and increase energy has a stroke of genius behind it.  This tool will assist you in getting quiet, listening to and connecting to truth, and hearing what the bigger picture is. 

Here is how:

1. Get a piece of paper and create 2 columns.
2. Write down everything you don’t like about your life in the left column. This represents where you think that you have failed.  For example, “I don’t have a good relationship.”
3. Then, in the right column, write the opposite, “I am ready for a good relationship.” Then tear off and keep the right-side column. This is your true self. 

You can then go back to the paper that you kept for inspiration and to lift you up.  This technique will get you into your power and be a personal affirmation.

Heather Campbell is an Attorney & Legal Coach for Online Entrepreneurs and also a working mother. She has tons of energy and admits that she can overdo it “burning the midnight oil” and expend that energy.  However, she believes that the secret to sustained energy and less overwhelm is to take away a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves.  Campbell claims, “There are so many ways to allow yourself to feel behind and not good enough.  Flexibility can be very hard.  We want to move mountains.”

She thinks that “balance as fluid” is an important concept.  Instead of being balanced all the time, it is over the course of the week.  She also advocates “connecting with other high-achieving women in business.  Finding out how other women balance it.  Then we can tune into more feminine wisdom and intuition.”

Campbell feels like she has been able to eliminate the “shoulds” and the pressure of not measuring up to a standard.  She advises, “Maybe Mondays aren’t that balanced.  Just accept it and get the balance back on another day.  Be around people who have a calming effect.  Being in connection and having conversation is a tremendous support.”

Her biggest piece secret weapon?  Sleep.  If she skimps on her sleep, she tries to sleep as long as she can the following morning, then power nap or early to bed the next day.  The key is to admit when more resting might be needed.  “We have to see that it is not always time to push but time to receive.  Later, you might have the energy to sprint. Life is supposed to come in waves.” 

Sandra Fluke is a Social Justice Attorney, Legislative Advocate, and Former Candidate for State Senate with a very demanding schedule.  When asked how she sustains the physical and mental energy required for this demanding position, she replied that she tries to set limits with her time and energy.  It helps her tremendously to have a regular workout routine because it relieves her stress and keeps her feeling good. 

She has also finds it helpful to manage the requests that she gets from others.  She does a lot of networking, so she makes sure to schedule coffee meetings and phone calls at the best time for her, rather than all over the place.

Like Campbell, Fluke expressed the importance of sleep and rest.  Her method? 30 minutes before bedtime, she stops, relaxes and doesn’t work anymore for the night.  She also feels that it is important to spend time talking with her husband, away from electronic devices.  In fact, they have 1 night together each weekend to be away from work and strengthen their connection.

Fluke’s career in politics, being heavy on male influence, has brought her an interesting perspective.  She relays that “Women have to work through a lot in their head. They hold themselves back (from advancing their careers) until they acquire a ridiculous list of qualifications; this is a really hindrance.  (It helps when they) realize that others are not up on a pedestal.” 

She claims that she “cracked the challenge” once she saw how much women have a hard time doing (self-care) things for themselves.  She affirms that, even in high-power positions, this is remedied by “focusing on appreciating those who help you and not constantly questioning yourself. “

Sherry Babb is a nationally recognized life and business transformation coach and speaker, known as the “Overwhelm Obliterator.”  She finds that one of the most important questions to ask, when learning to manage your energy is, “What are the stressors or the times in which you feel overwhelmed?”  Because, managing energy is really about managing your mind and emotions. 

However, Babb warns that she doesn’t find it helpful to spend a lot of time digging into “why” you are thinking and feeling a certain way.  Rather, it is super important to get the expertise and guidance of an outside force and learn to take the right action.  Trying to do it all yourself is a common pitfall because we like to be self-sufficient.

Why does Babb think that getting an outside person is so important?  “The problem (with overwhelm) is actually in the 6 inches between your ears. It is your best thinking that got you here.”  She tells us that a supportive community or an individual will strategize and give you action steps, accountability and support.  This support will help you to stay on track, give you honest feedback.  They will also help you to be loving and caring with yourself. 

One of Babb’s favorite tools, which she uses personally, is to think of solutions while you are calm and feeling good. She has clients create their own tool kit in advance, to be used when overwhelm begins.  That way, when you are already overwhelmed, you don’t have to come up with the right tools for you on the spot.  “Look at photos of vacation or a person that you love.   You can also listen to music, a reminder of good times or a song that you can’t sit still to.  Then, it is almost difficult NOT to shift the (mental and emotional) states.   Anything that makes you feel loved or ecstatic will help.”   

Each of these women stressed the following:

1. The most important thing is admitting when rest it needed and then DOING IT.
2. Trying to do it all yourself is never going to work. Community and connection creates a support network that is crucial.  Professional help can also be your best move.
3. The best system is one that works for you, is already in place before you are worn out, and is fluid.
4. Even with a demanding schedule, kids, or a high-pressure career, energy and balance is really a dance of ebb and flow.

In my own practice as a Health and Wealth Doctor, I see clients all the time whose idea of strength is the degree to which she can push herself, take on more, and just keep going.  As these 4 Wonder Women have expressed, there is a better way.  I believe that Feminine Strength, vibrant health, and even a fulfilling career has the foundation of good energy management. 

With proper energy management, we can be a shining example to our children, lead lives that far surpass the prosperity of our ancestors, and even be more available to give others.  And when we do that, we are fulfilling more of our Spiritual Purpose, feeling good in our bodies, and creating the true meaning of wealth.