The one with things that energize me and drain me

So i was reading in the book leading on empty i should make a list of things which energize me as well as drain me.

So i came up with a couple lists... i tried to rank them, but who knows really... some are broad, some specific... some are so obvious maybe they shouldn't be on these lists...


Things that recharge/energize me

1. journaling/processing life/reflecting on life & God
2. Being with Soo
3. time with old friends
4. people sharing vulnerably with me
5. receiving encouragement, positive feedback
6. conversing about God/Bible/theology with one or two good friends or a small group
7. laughter
a. time with friends
b. reminiscing about a fun story
c. being silly/goofy/crazy
d. tv show or movie
e. corny jokes
f. witty comments/jokes
g. comedian
8. Discipleship/ helping people grow/understand the fullness of the gospel more/Bible/Holy Spirit, etc
9. discussing the dynamic of friendship/community/dating relationships or marriage/Christ-centered community with people
10. Praise & Worship in song
11. playing sports & hanging out afterwards
a. basketball
b. football
c. Ultimate frisbee
d. Baseball
e. golf (Sometimes)
12. Late Night Conversation & sillyness (ie denny’s, steak n shake, sonic)

Things that drain me

1. getting up early
2. Unresponsiveness during a Bible study/talk
3. difficult people
a. critical
b. negative/pessimistic
c. know-it-alls/prideful
d. not agreeable
4. conflict resolution
5. class of any sort, esp in the morning (moves up to #1 perhaps)
6. dance parties
7. decisions
8. impatient people
9. hearing others complain
10. older people
11. busyness/deadlines/assignments : in other words: work
12. traffic, lines


Soo made a list too
things that energize her include
- cooking
- taking walks
- me
- friends
- eating
things that drain her included
- reading
- meetings (esp prayer meetings)

How about you?





Here are some more things that energize me

13. Intimacy with my wife
14. being goofy/crazy/loud &obnoxious with a bunch of people
15. A good nap on the couch
16. conversing about life/following Christ with one or two good friends or a small group
17. Writing about the Bible, God, & following Christ
18. Barnes & Noble
19. Leading a good Bible study/giving a talk
20. Someone listening to me vent/process life
21. writing blogs/ writing about life situations, feelings, beliefs, theories, etc
22. Watching sports & discussing sports(ie PTI)
a. NCAA basketball: esp March Maddness
b. NCAA football
c. NFL
d. Sometimes MLB
e. (NBA does not count, unless we’re discussing how idiotic & worthless it is).
23. Making lists
24. tv shows
a. scrubs
b. Seinfeld
c. Simpsons
d. A few others
25. Some prayer meetings (but others can be draining).
26. listening to music
27. Reading a good Christian book
28. reminiscing (life, tv shows, sports, etc)
29. Serving others: like washing dishes
30. Chocolate, peanut butter
31. Waffles
32. Making new friends
33. A good EV conversation
34. my puppy
35. Movies
36. Cheese, Meat (ie Pizza, burgers, etc)
37. updating friends: twitter/fb/writing PL’s/emails
38. coffee shops/panera
39. being with friends doing anything
40. strategy games like Settlers of Catan, fbb, rummy
41. a long hot shower
42. reading leadership development books
43. cold drinks
44. good food
45. A good night’s sleep
46. Pooping
47. reading blogs/facebook/magazines
48. recreational sports
ie: ping-pong, corn hole, pool, bowling, boce ball,etc
49. video games
50. New places/adventures
51. jog/run/work-out
52. crossing things off a to do list



And some more things that drain me

13. internet problems
14. computer problems
15. achy back (not my back pain, but just needing a massage).
16. superficial friendships (not conversations, though this may be included)
17. new people
18. phone calls
19. being sick
20. swimming pools, water
21. foreign language
22. kids sometimes
23. my parents sometimes
24. cheats/scams
25. accountability/reporting to superiors
26. traveling
27. some meetings
28. being the only guy
29. big parties (K-tv)
30. mpd
31. superficial conversations
32. some prayer meetings
33. cell-phones/interruptions
34. some EV conversations
35. cleaning, laundry, etc
36. disobedient puppy
37. exercise