Protecting Your Energy: A Luxury Worth Guarding in Business and Life
‘’Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s a luxury item, not everyone can afford it.”
– Taylor Swift
When Taylor Swift speaks, and sings, people listen and learn her words, not just because she’s a global icon, but because her words carry wisdom that resonates, especially for women navigating the demands of business and leadership. Her reminder to treat energy as a luxury is particularly powerful for women entrepreneurs and professionals who find themselves pouring into everyone else while leaving very little for themselves… I know we are guilty of that at Ladies That Do Networking… are you?
In business, energy is our most valuable currency.
It fuels creativity, drives connections, and sustains us through the long hours and challenges of entrepreneurship. Unlike money, once energy is depleted, it’s much harder to replenish. That’s why protecting it should be as important as balancing the books or setting ambitious goals.
Why Your Energy is a Luxury Item
Think about your favourite luxury purchase… Is it a handbag, a spa treatment, or a well-deserved weekend away? You treat it with care because you know its value, you value it because of what it brings to your life. The same principle applies to your energy. Not everyone should have unlimited access to it, and not every opportunity or connection deserves your time.
Women, in particular, feel pressured to say “yes” to everything – helping a colleague, taking on an extra project, or saying yes to coffee meetings that drain rather than inspire. It is part of the old-style patriarchy that is being slowly dismantled, but we businesswomen were raised under. It is hard to say no. But just as luxury items are not available to everyone, neither should your energy be. Boundaries are not barriers; they’re safeguards for the things that matter most. We’ll say it again – Boundaries are not barriers. They safeguard your energy.
The Business Case for Protecting Your Energy
Energy management is not just about wellness—it’s about success. When you protect your energy, you:
- Make Better Decisions
- Increase Productivity
- Build Stronger Relationships
- Inspire Others
As entrepreneurs, your business is a reflection of you. If you’re running on empty, it will show, people will talk about it and there is nothing more damaging to a business than a negative viewpoint from others.
However, if you’re energized and purposeful, that will shine through in every conversation, project, and partnership.
Practical Ways to Treat Your Energy Like a Luxury
So how can you embody this Taylor Swift mindset in your business and life?
Audit Your Commitments: Review your calendar for tasks or meetings that don’t align with your goals. Ask yourself, “Does this energize me or drain me?”
Set Clear Boundaries: Politely but firmly say no to opportunities that aren’t the right fit. “No” is not rejection – it’s redirection (boundaries, ladies).
Invest in Recharging: Schedule downtime as you would a client meeting. Walks, workouts, or time with loved ones are not indulgences; they’re essential investments in protecting and maintaining your energy.
Surround Yourself with the Right People: Just as you’d choose a mastermind group carefully, be selective about who gets access to your time and energy. Positive, driven people will amplify your energy; negative or draining ones will of course deplete it. You might not notice this straight away, so take time to assess how you feel after every interaction.
Celebrate the Wins: Taking moments to recognise progress fuels motivation and keeps your energy high for the next challenge… time for a new handbag?!
And on that note, here’ an Idea: We saw a post from a self-employed gardener, who worked for herself. Once a year, she would post a picture of herself with the title of ‘’Employee of the Year’’, and would go on to describe what the ‘’employee’’ did to achieve this recognition, and how the prize was two weeks off to go on holiday. When was the last time you acknowledged yourself in the same way?
A Message for Women in Business
In a world that often demands more, more, more from us and everyone around us, more productivity, more availability, more sacrifice – let Taylor’s words remind you: you are not a limitless resource. Your energy is precious, rare, and worth protecting.
Imagine the collective impact if every woman in business treated her energy as a luxury. We would see more women leading with strength, more businesses thriving with purpose, and more examples of success for future generations.
So today, give yourself permission to guard your energy fiercely. Invest it where it matters most – your vision, your growth, your community. And remember, not everyone can afford your energy, and that’s exactly how it should be.
In our next networking meeting, try asking your neighbour, not “What do you do?” but “What energizes you most in your business?” You’ll be surprised at how much more meaningful the connection becomes.
Thank you for reading this month’s blog, Protecting Your Energy: A Luxury Worth Guarding in Business and Life.
Kelly, Kelly, and Chloe,
Ladies That Do Networking