1 – Where’s Your Energy Meter?

Lately, I’ve been feeling unusually energized — not because life is easy (it’s not), but because I’ve been spending more time in my strength areas. The funny thing? This is happening despite encountering situations that are much bigger than me.

This week is a particularly busy one for me. Next week, I might be complaining about my energy levels — so if you see me, ask me if I actually did what I needed to do to conserve and protect my energy. I’m giving you permission to hold me accountable.

2 – The Leader’s Loop (my definition)

A word I picked up this summer: looping. Here’s my working definition: When you repeatedly face the same problem or situation without making lasting progress — whether it’s in business, relationships, or your own habits.

Loops make you feel stuck — like you’re in that European Vacation scene where Chevy Chase is driving through a roundabout in London, saying: “Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament… Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament…” over and over again.

Curveball – I guess not all loops are bad. Our friends recently shared interest in joining my wife and me on the “Great Loop” — a 6,000-mile boating journey through America’s waterways. That’s a loop I’d gladly do.

So, I guess some loops could refresh you, expand you, and connect you. I would argue that MOST loops trap you. The trick is knowing the difference.

Self-check: Am I solving this… or just looping through it again?

3 – The Not-So-Obvious Loops

Some loops are obvious. Others are sneaky. They don’t look like repetition — but you realize you’re not really moving the ball down the field.

One way I spot a loop? Whenever I find myself — or my company — complaining about the same thing over and over, I know we’re in one. A loop requires change. That’s why we don’t have all the same processes today that we did 12 years ago… and I know we won’t have the same ones 12 years from now. You’ve got to keep iterating.

As Tony Robbins made famous in those late-night infomercials, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

And remember: What got you here won’t necessarily get you where you’re going.

Feelin’ loopy???

4 – Breaking the Loop Without Breaking Yourself

Sometimes, the loop isn’t yours to break — and that’s a hard one for leaders to swallow. Why? Because we love to control. Letting go feels like defeat.

When the same situation keeps coming back:

• Give it up to God. Let Him take the steering wheel.
• Call in reinforcements. The right people can shift the energy fast.
• Seek experience. Someone who’s been there can help you shortcut the mess.

Not every loop needs you to be the hero.

5 – Energy Leaks & Energy Gains

Quick exercise:

1. Write down 3 activities that consistently drain you.
2. Write down 3 that light you up.

I know we can’t always instantly change everything — but consider:

What can I outsource, delegate, or just stop doing altogether to plug some of those leaks?

Energy isn’t just about sleep and coffee. It’s about design — putting yourself in positions where your gifts have room to breathe.

💡 Bonus Wisdom

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” – Vince Lombardi Energy isn’t optional. It’s the fuel that powers courage.

🎤 That’s a Wrap

If you’ve been looping, leaking energy, or fighting battles that feel too big, maybe the breakthrough isn’t in pushing harder — it’s in shifting where your energy flows. Have a favorite way to recharge and reset? Share it with me — I might feature it in a future 5 Bites.

Thank you to our sponsor 🛡️ Auxiom 🙌

This edition was proudly sponsored by Auxiom.

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