Do you dread going to work? Are you exhausted by ten in the morning? We’ve all felt it at times—the inability to get out of bed and go to work because our job is draining us in every way. If you feel zapped of energy, there is hope, but you must be willing to take action and find the source of the problem. It can be challenging—but it’ll be worth it.

Step 1
Make Time for You
In the midst of a job crisis, probably the last thing on your mind is to make time for yourself, but it really is the most important thing to do. Before you dive into solving a problem, you need to make sure your foundation is strong. If you're like most women, when you get stressed the first thing eliminated from your schedule is precious time for yourself. Where do you find the time? Here’s what worked for Susan: Susan took 30 seconds to write down 10 things that made her happy. I asked her to look at her list and add at least three of them to her week. She found three things to schedule: time to read her favorite book, time for a manicure, and time to go to the movies with her husband. Susan realized how important it was to carve out a little time each day—whether one minute, five minutes, or 30 minutes. If you only have one minute, you can put your feet up, take off your shoes, and inhale a few big breaths.

Step 2
Add some Energy
If your job is exhausting you, create more energy. This may sound impossible, but here are a few simple ideas to get you started.

Step 3
Identify the Source
What is the source of the energy drain at work? Are you working too many hours? Is the environment stressful? Are you emotionally burned out? Is it some other factor? As simple as it may sound, the very next step to take is to identify the source of the problem. If you get stuck answering this question, try this easy exercise. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing Highly Dissatisfied and 10 representing Highly Satisfied, rate the following:

Now, does that give you a better idea of where you need help?

Step 4
What’s Working?
The next step is to identify the positives of your work situation. What is working? Take out another sheet of paper and write down all of the reasons you love your job and the things about it that you do well and feel good about. Now, take a look at this list and ask yourself how you could use your strengths and the positive aspects of your job to help resolve current challenges?

Step 5
Prioritize
Next, look at your priorities. Each night, identify the three most important things to accomplish the next day. Make sure these priorities come first, even if a new project or distraction tries to take you off course. Sticking with a short list of priorities can help to eliminate stress.

Step 6
Say Yes to Yourself
Do friends, family and coworkers seek out your help because of your expertise or kindness? There’s nothing wrong with being "in demand," unless your own priorities are always getting pushed aside because you haven't learned to say no. To remedy this, take a look at what you value. Think through what is important for you to say yes or no to. Then, the next time you are approached by someone looking for assistance, ask them for time to think about it. Develop the habit of delaying your response until after you've had a chance to evaluate the request.

Step 7
Create an Action Plan
Now that you’ve got a strong foundation, you’re ready to create a solid action plan. Integrate the ideas from this article. Ask the following questions. Does your plan include:

If you’ve included all of the above, you’re set up for success!

Enduring the strain and stress of a demanding job is no fun. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to try to change but, by following these seven steps, you’ll soon find that instead of feeling drained, you experience more energy in your life.

About the Authorr

Carrie Silver-Stock, MSW, LCSW, is a professional life coach. Carrie specializes in helping working women who want to improve their professional or personal lives. Coaching can help you create life balance, successfully make career transitions, add time to your day, and achieve whatever goals you have for yourself. Carrie collaborates with her clients and teaches them Seven Secrets to Living Happy and Healthy. Before coaching, Carrie received her MSW from Washington University, and spent time working in a variety of community settings. Carrie is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), St. Louis Coaches group, and the National Association of Social Workers. For more information, visit www.livinghappyandhealthy.com. Join a virtual community at www.workingsupermom.blogspot.com.