Your energy is currency—spend it wisely

Here’s the truth: Life throws curveballs. People say dumb things. Projects go sideways. But as a leader, it’s on you to decide what gets your energy—and what gets left behind.

The same goes for your team.

But here’s the deal: Not everything deserves your energy. Think of it like this. Your energy is currency—spend it wisely. If you don't make that shift, one day you'll get the not sufficient funds message. And trust me, it sucks.

Marcus Aurelius reminds us, “You don’t have to turn this into something.” Life gives you decisions to make, how are you going to react. Grab the path that lets you move on. As a leader, your responsibility is to help your people see this too.

If you and your team let every frustration, every careless comment, and every unnecessary email weigh you down, that weight will break you. And then you will break others.

People are messy. Projects are unpredictable. And problems never run dry.

If you don’t learn to let things go—and teach your team how to do the same—you’ll all end up running on empty, chasing tasks that don’t matter.

So how do you lead with clarity while keeping yourself and your people sharp?

It’s not about working more hours—it’s about staying intentional. So, let’s break down a few tips on how to do exactly that.

Hit the Pause Button

Your team’s watching how you handle the grind. If you push through burnout, so will they.

Show them what it looks like to pause and reset—a quick walk, a deep breath, or a five-second break mid-meeting. It’s not weakness; it’s how you recharge and stay in the game for all four quarters (and not just a half).

Keep the Grind Tight—For Everyone

More hours doesn’t mean more results. Encourage your team to keep heavy mental lifting to four hours a day, max.

After that? Shift to easier tasks that won’t drain them. Use 90-minute sprints to keep focus sharp, and don’t reward burnout. Tomorrow’s performance depends on how you recover today.

Repeat after me: balance, balance, and more... balance. This is the way.

Reward the Hustle

Every marathon needs a finish line. Plan a win—a drink with a friend, a new show to binge, or time to unplug. When you know there’s something good waiting on the other side, the work feels lighter.

And when there’s a reward in sight, your people stay motivated. Remember, you’re not just working—you’re living, so do some of both.

Bottomline

You’ve got the strength to let it go, and the wisdom to show your people how to do the same.

And together, y’all have what it takes to stay sharp, stay focused, and roll with whatever life throws your way.

So, what’s the play? Well, that’s on you—and on them.