Janet was frustrated with her team for not getting their status reports in on time, even after repeated requests.

Bill couldnt figure out why the volunteers for his professional organization werent accomplishing their tasks.

Adam had people begging to work with him but trying to negotiate down his already very reasonable rates.

Percys wife, who constantly complained about all of his business trips and expenses, was wearing him down.

Helen was completely overwhelmed with the constant flood of changes, new demands and unreasonable turn-around requests from her highest paying client.

Are you noticing a theme?

Each of these entrepreneurs was struggling with a common problem. Energy drains. An energy drain is something that happens to you when you compromise your standards, have weak boundaries or allow people to dictate their needs and priorities onto you. Often times the energy leaks out of our life just like a leaky hose. Or worse, like a sieve.

It happens to the best of us. In our desire to please our clients, teams and loved-ones, we just forget how to enforce our boundaries. Boundaries are like a cushion around whats important to us. When boundaries are weak, we get holes in that cushion and our energy gets zapped.

Id like to help you get a crash-course in how to get back on the energy fast-track course. Lets start with learning more about boundaries and standards. Its one of the Power Tools in the ULTIMATE Wealth & Success Circle (http://www.ultimatewealthandsuccesscircle.com/). and its my gift to you. Get it at http://www.successconnectionezine.com/2006/12_19/b-and-s.
(Document is in PDF format).

Here are a few more tips:

- Do a Clean Sweep Challenge (http://www.cleansweepchallenge.com/). Works wonders every time! By clearing the decks of distractions, unresolved issues and shoulds, you will create space to work on whats really important.

- Get clear about YOUR priorities. If you know whats important to you, your business and your bottom line, then its easier to know when to say NO to other peoples priorities.

- Create systems that take the emotion out. For instance, if getting people to follow through on commitments is a problem, create a routine check-in time to ensure that they feel accountable to a check in time. I love doing weekly status reports with my team.

- Raise your standards. If you are being bombarded with people and situations that are sucking the life out of you, you probably need to reevaluate what standards you are living by. Dont be afraid to raise the bar! (The boundaries and standards tool will help you do that!)

- Learn new tools. As my one client says, Talking through this with you always helps me learn a new strategy for setting better boundaries. Sometimes you just have to hear what works for someone else in order to know how to handle the sticky situations. Thats why we offer Breakthrough Sessions.

If you notice yourself feeling frustrated with others, getting drained, snapping at others or losing momentum routinely, you are probably in an energy draining situation. You must handle it in order to get back on track. Set an intention to incorporate at least one new standard that will help you attract more of what you want. Using the worksheet in the Boundaries and Standards tool will help.

Happy Fast-Tracking!

2006 Melanie Benson Strick, Success Connections. All rights reserved.

About The Coach

Melanie Benson Strick, The Entrepreneurs Success Coach, teaches entrepreneurs how to stop feeling overwhelmed so they can create more money, more freedom and more prestige.

Co-author of Visionary Women Inspiring the World: 12 Paths to Personal Power and contributing author to Entrepreneurial Spirits , Melanie is co-creator of The Unstoppable Goals Method: How To Turn Your Ideas into Income in 90 Days.

If you are ready to experience a breakthrough in your business, sign up for a 25-minute personalized Business Breakthrough at http://www.successconnections.com/breakthrough.html