(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)


A fundamental part of being coached is to take care of yourself. Good care of yourself. The idea is that it’s hard to be available for others when your vessel is depleted.

Yes, there are people who feel they get ‘points’ through suffering and one form of that is to be drained of energy. That is not a requirement from Life. It is trained behavior from culture, family, and organizations. Learned, not natural.

Being tired is different from being drained. When you are tired at the end of the day, maybe even bone tired, but feel you have accomplished something toward outcomes which are meaningful to you there is a sense of being somehow bigger than you were at the beginning of the day. You’ve grown through your use of energy. There is a smile, a feeling of satisfaction, of well-being. Rest then is to rebuild for another effective tomorrow.

Drained is more than simply tired. It includes a feeling of depletion, of having somehow escaped, dodged a bullet, possibly even damaged. At the end of a drained day you are smaller than at the beginning.

Tired is using reserves whereas drained is cutting into muscle.


Coaching Point: Do you enjoy the glow which tired provides?


Copyright 2020 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.