One of the first things I do when working with a new coaching client is to have them complete a list of the things they are putting up with or tolerating in their lives - both professionally and personally. There are two reasons for this initial exercise. The first reason is to identify the things that are draining their energy and the second reason is to start the process of clearing out these "tolerations".

Removing the things a client is putting up with dramatically raises their energy level and makes room for new things to come into their life. It's much easier for a person to stay motivated and be inspired when they have the energy!

Here's an example:

Bonnie is my new client and she has come to me to help her improve her results. She's feeling stuck and stagnant in her business. When I ask her to make a list of the top things she is putting up with in her life, this is what she writes:

1. Messy home office / un-filed papers (can't see the top of desk)
2. Stacks of leads never followed up
3. An out-of-date client list
4. Product and supplies stored all over the house and garage
5. Backlog of unanswered emails
6. Projects started and never completed
7. Not enough access to computer (shared with family)
8. Broken printer
9. Expired inspection sticker on her car
10. Clothes that need to be altered or donated

Whew! Just reading this list makes me tired. I can only imagine what it is doing to Bonnie! Every time she looks at her office or closet, sees the stacks of papers or backlog of emails, and so on, she experiences an immediate loss of energy. No wonder she feels stuck and stagnant!

One by one Bonnie and I go through the points on her list and create an action plan to resolve each item. Actions include such things as scheduling a block of time on her calendar to organize her office, tackling stacks of papers whenever she has a spare 5 minutes, asking for help from her family (on projects, product consolidation, car inspection, and getting broken printer fixed), recruiting a friend to assist in culling through her clothes, buying organizing tools for her office including a new computer, and getting her daughter to update her client list.

Bonnie's learned that she doesn't have to do everything herself; that it's okay to ask for help, and that taking a few minutes to handle something right now saves her a great deal of time (and energy) in the long run. Each time Bonnie clears one toleration off her list, her energy immediately goes up. And not only that, because she has removed what's dragging her down, new business is pouring in without added effort!

Make a list of the things you are currently putting up with in your business and life in general. What's draining your energy right now? Create an action plan and see what happens as you take each item and clear it!

To increased energy!!