We all have tasks that pull us down—things we can do but don’t enjoy. Maybe you’ve even thought, ‘If I don’t do it, no one else will.’

I call these “energy vampires.” They don’t just take up time; they drain your motivation and joy. This is a feeling we may have all found familiar at one point or another.

A few years ago, it became clear that while we are great at producing content. However, I am not great at filing and organizing the content for repurposing. In my brain, I know that this is not good for the business. I knew that I could not continue to be so disorganized. Yet, I dreaded the task. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do it. It just didn’t align with what I wanted or needed to focus on. Every time I thought about it, it felt like a weight on my shoulders. Whenever I would start the task 30 minutes or an hour later, I barely accomplished anything other than getting a headache and pushing the task aside.

When you’re stuck in this space, losing sight of the big picture is easy. Instead of building momentum toward your goals, you’re treading water. And let’s be honest: how long can you sustain that before burnout sets in?

Why Living in Your Strengths Changes Everything

Operating in your strengths is like stepping into a flow state. It’s where your skills and passions align, and everything feels a little easier. Rather than treading water, you are effortlessly doing laps in the areas you are strongest in. When you focus on what you’re truly great at, your business benefits, and so do you.

Living in your strengths doesn’t mean ignoring the parts of your business you don’t love. It means finding ways to manage or delegate those tasks so you can dedicate your energy to what you do best. That’s how you create a business that works for you, not vice versa.

3 Strategies to Shift Into Your Strengths

1. Recognize the Energy Drains

The first step is awareness. Spend a week paying attention to how different tasks make you feel. Which ones energize you? Which ones leave you frustrated or tired?

If you're unsure where to start, try these approaches to develop your list:

• Track Your Mood & Energy: Keep a notepad or use a productivity app to jot down how you feel before and after each task. Are you feeling drained, neutral, or energized? Patterns will emerge.
• Audit Your Time: Review your calendar and daily to-do lists. Highlight tasks that take the most time and assess whether they are fulfilling or frustrating.
• Look at Procrastination Clues: The tasks you keep pushing off are often the ones that drain you the most. It likely belongs on the "Drains" list if you constantly delay something.
• Ask Yourself the 80/20 Question: What 20% of tasks generate 80% of your best results? Those likely belong in your "Energizers" list. The rest may be energy drains or lower-priority tasks.
• Reflect on Enjoyment vs. Obligation: Some tasks feel heavy even when you're good at them. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Be honest about what truly excites you versus what just feels like an obligation.

Action Step: Make two lists—“Energizers” and “Drains.” Use this as a guide to decide what to focus on and what to offload.

2. Delegate the Right Way

Delegating isn’t avoiding responsibility—it’s ensuring that the work gets done efficiently by the right person. When you hand off a task, you’re not giving up control; you’re creating space for both you and your team to thrive.

Here are some ways to delegate effectively:

• Start Small: If delegation feels uncomfortable, begin with one or two tasks that aren’t mission-critical. Build trust by testing the process before handing off bigger responsibilities.
• Match the Task to the Right Person: Consider skill set, strengths, and interests. Delegation works best when the person taking over enjoys and excels at the task.
• Give Clear Instructions: Outline what success looks like. Provide necessary details upfront so they don’t have to come back with endless questions.
• Set Check-in Points (Not Micromanagement): Agree on milestones where you’ll review progress rather than hovering over every step. This fosters accountability without stifling independence.
• Provide Resources and Support: If a task requires specific knowledge, tools, or training, ensure the person has what they need to succeed.
• Be Open to Different Approaches: The person you delegate to may complete the task differently than you would—and that’s okay! Focus on results, not rigid processes.
• Acknowledge Wins: When someone does well with a delegated task, recognize their efforts. Encouragement builds confidence and makes future delegation easier

Pro Tip: When you delegate, be clear on the expectations and outcomes. This isn’t micromanaging—it’s setting your team up for success while freeing yourself to focus on what you do best.

3. Lean Into What Makes You Great

Your strengths are what set you apart in your business. The more time you spend doing work that aligns with them, the more energized, creative, and productive you’ll be.

To uncover your true strengths, ask yourself:

• What are the tasks that feel effortless to me but challenging to others?
• When do I feel most confident, engaged, and excited about my work?
• What do people frequently come to me for help with or compliment me on?
• If I could structure my business to spend 80% of my time on just a few tasks, what would those be?

Exercise: Design Your Ideal Workday

Imagine your perfect day in the business—one where you’re fully in your zone of genius. What kind of work are you doing? Are you creating, leading, strategizing, or connecting with people? What are you not doing? What tasks are missing from this ideal day because they drain your energy or pull you away from what truly matters?

Once you have a clear picture of what working in your strengths looks like, compare it to your current daily schedule. Where do the biggest gaps exist? Start making small, intentional changes to shift your workload toward the work that excites and fulfills you. Even delegating one or two energy-draining tasks can make a significant difference in how you feel at the end of the day.

A Clear Example of Strength in Focus

Jan and Michelle were two business owners who ran marketing agencies. In a session, it became evident that they felt they were in direct competition. While their businesses appeared similar on the surface, as we explored more about them as business owners and the type of work that energized them, it became apparent that they were as different as night and day.

One owner thrived in building deeply personalized relationships with clients, tailoring every detail to their needs. The other excelled in creating efficient systems and delivering high-quality results at scale. Once they leaned into their strengths, something incredible happened.

Instead of competing, they found ways to complement each other’s work. Both businesses flourished by focusing on their strengths and referring opportunities that weren’t a fit. They built stronger reputations, attracted ideal clients, and reduced the stress of trying to do everything.

This clarity fueled growth and confidence. When you stop trying to be everything to everyone and focus on your strengths, you create space for success and satisfaction.

Your Next Step: Let Go to Grow

Here’s the good news: delegating doesn’t have to be daunting. When I finally admitted that organizing content wasn’t my strength, I hired someone who thrives in that space. They didn’t just take the task off my plate—they did it better and faster than I ever could.

The result? My content became more organized, more accessible for repurposing, and ultimately more impactful for my business. The best part was the relief I felt knowing it was being handled by someone who loved that work. Delegating wasn’t just a practical decision; it was an energizing one.

Now, here’s a challenge for you: pick one task you’re ready to let go of in your business. Maybe it’s something you dread or a task you’re good at but don’t love. Decide today how you’ll delegate it or let it go entirely. Then, redirect that energy toward something that aligns with your strengths.

Your business is a reflection of your vision and values. By focusing on your strengths, you create a sustainable path to growth that energizes and inspires you every step of the way.

What Will You Choose to Focus on Today?

I like to say, “(It is) Your business, (so it is) Your rules!” Now is the time to make it extraordinary. What’s one task you’re ready to delegate, and what strength will you lean into instead? Do you feel stuck figuring it out? If so, reach out and see how we can help you live into your strengths today.