Feeling Drained? 12 Ideas To Recharge You
It’s easy to feel drained these days.
What once felt solid now seems fragile. That's true of the world of politics. Think of Trump and Ukraine. Think of the rise of facism and authoritarianism. Think of the speed and scale of technological development.
The world is shifting in ways that leave many questioning their role and direction. The uncertainty can sap energy and focus, making it harder to stay engaged. Especially for those of us active in politics, this isn’t just unsettling - it’s a direct challenge to strategy, leadership, and even identity.
The following ideas offer just small shifts in perspective. The good news: we live in a world where small, random shifts can lead to big changes down the road. And sometimes, just knowing that can be recharging in itself.
The themes running through the ideas:
Adaptability is more valuable than plans
Small shifts can create big momentum
Action, not overthinking, fuels clarity
Here are twelve ideas to recharge our sense of agency.
1) Be an improviser of life
“An improviser is prepared, just not wedded to any ideology or rigid plans.” - Daryl Chow
Life rarely follows a script. The more adaptable you are, the more you can turn the unexpected into an opportunity. Stay open, stay flexible, and you'll find new paths unfolding before you.
2) The path to greatness is never a straight line
“As you start to walk, the way appears.” - Rumi
Greatness is an emergent property, not a planned destination. The most extraordinary journeys & discoveries come from unexpected turns and unseen opportunities. Focus on what’s interesting and novel.
3) Action over thinking
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” - Pablo Picasso
Thinking too much before acting leads to paralysis. Start moving, and the clarity you seek will follow.
4) The obstacle is the way
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius
Struggles are not detours; they are the road itself. Lean into challenges, and they will forge you into something stronger.
5) People around you are no smarter than you
“Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you.” - Steve Jobs
Once you realize this, the world opens up. Stop waiting for permission. If they could build, create, and lead, so can you.
6) Purpose is not found, it's grown
“A vocation is not something we find, it's something we grow – and grow into.” - Roman Krznaric
Marie Curie didn’t start with a clear vision of what she would discover. She followed curiosity, and purpose emerged. Don’t stress about ‘finding’ your calling. Cultivate what fascinates you.
7) Rest is fuel, not a reward
“A good rest is half the work.” - Proverb
We don’t earn rest by exhausting ourselves. It is the foundation of sustainable performance, creativity, and well-being. Prioritize it. Schedule it.
8) Action creates emotion
“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of feeling than to feel yourself into a new way of acting.” - Harry Stack Sullivan
Tony Robbins says ‘Motion creates emotion.’ True, but motion is random. Directed action, on the other hand, builds momentum and is sustainable.
9) No one is watching you
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” - David Foster Wallace
The spotlight effect makes us think everyone notices our every move. The truth? Most people are too focused on their own lives.
10) You don’t ask, you don’t get
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - Wayne Gretzky
Ask for what you want, even if it feels bold. Let go of expectations though. The worst answer is No; and even that often leads to something new.
11) What you focus on becomes important
“Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it.” - Daniel Kahneman
Your brain amplifies what you pay attention to. Choose wisely, or trivial worries will take up more space than they deserve. And even with the seemingly big stuff: focus on what you can do about it.
12) Focus on others
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Helping others lifts you out of your own struggles. It provides meaning, builds resilience, and creates deeper connections. But don’t let it interfere with idea 7.
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