Recharging IRL

For nearly a decade, I’ve been on a journey to understand my own energy habits and limits — a theme that’s become increasingly common in my coaching work with executive moms.

Many of my clients are ambitious, Type A executives balancing career and family growth. Recently, one client, overwhelmed at home and work, shared that she was so exhausted she’d fall into bed without brushing her teeth.

I introduced a cell phone battery metaphor and got curious:

• 🪫What was draining her battery?
• 🔋How charged up was she starting each day?

As we explored the topic, she admitted she was beginning each day at a mere “10-20%” — drained before the day even began. She’d been waiting to recharge only once she hit rock bottom. And the list of draining tasks was very long.

Recognizing this, we set a new goal: to reach at least “50% charged” daily, which promised to improve her energy, effectiveness, and happiness.

Afterward, I sketched this colorful battery visual to capture our insights. I hoped it would deepen her awareness, but I also made it as a reminder to myself that energy is a finite resource — and managing it requires mindful choices.

As an ADHD working mom of two ADHD kids, I really struggle to make time for rest. And when I was rising in the ranks, leading a company full time, I ignored all the warning signs and worked long hours, sacrificing my well-being and time with my family.

My colleagues could see that running on fumes left me more irritable and impatient—but I couldn’t. I was just grinding-grinding-grinding instead of pausing to refuel my drained battery. It was a recipe for disaster.

So the battery metaphor also reminds me that prioritizing rest and managing my energy isn’t just helpful; it’s essential, and it takes effort.

Sometimes, recharging means doing a lot less, not a lot more.

Now, when I feel overwhelmed, I use a “Do it / Delegate it / Defer it / Dump it” grid to help me prioritize and let go of what doesn’t matter. Instead of piling on, I give myself more grace, more rest, and more time for what truly matters.

I hope my client is finding her way to this path too.

What if you managed your energy as intentionally as your phone battery?

Just imagine the difference a fuller battery could make—in both work and home life.

Thanks for reading and supporting my free creative writing project!

You can find a shorter version of this post on my LinkedIn page.

To get in touch, you can email me or visit www.resourceful-leaders.com.