Jes Averhart: Lose your sizzle pop? Here’s how to rediscover it

Editor’s note: Triangle entrepreneur and thought leader Jes Averhart, CEO of Jes & Co and host of the “Reinvention Road Trip,” recently joined WRAL TechWire as a regular contributor. She is taking some time off this week. This is an encore of an earlier column, She will be back next week exploring a variety of topics with an emphasis on reinvention in these trying times of COVID.

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Last week we touched on energy. I reminded you that we all go through ebbs and flows and it’s important to take advantage of the ebbs to recharge. Today we’re going to dive deeper into two things that might sap your energy, and are unexpectedly connected to your goals.

Let’s take a hard look at the canary in the coal mine. Is your energy high or low these days?

If you’re like three out of five Americans, you shouted, “Low, Jes. I’m tired!”

Yes, it’s hard out here, folks. It seems like everything is pulling on our energy. Let’s take a minute to zoom in on “the why” so we can turn a corner on this phenomenon.

Energy sapper number one: your goals drain you. They lack inspiration and might be missing passion—there’s no sizzle pop!

Here’s some examples you might recognize: Sitting on boards just for the “exposure.” Working for the paycheck, but lost sight of your why. Keeping up with the Joneses… you know what I’m talking about. Makes me tired just thinking about it.

What I’m working on now is the opposite of that; it inspires me every day. For the last eight months I’ve been growing a core piece of my business and the goals around this work invigorate me. My coaching calls and seeing women have “ah-ha” moments along the way fires me up.

What about you? Are you chasing the right goals? Are you excited? Do you have that fire in your belly?

Another way to look at this is to ask yourself, “Am I chasing goals the world has told me I should have? Or am I pursuing goals that give me life?”

Energy sapper number two: right goals, wrong approach. Your goals might be spot on, but the way you’re going about achieving them is exhausting you.

For example, I have a friend who was morbidly obese, but for the life of her, she couldn’t lose the weight despite hiring a weight loss coach, calorie counting—all the things. Two years ago, she got a new job—one that was active by nature, a job that she truly enjoyed. And guess what? She lost 70 pounds in a year without consciously dieting or exercising. Her approach and mindset shifted, and the pounds fell off.

So here’s my challenge for you: