When Joy Gets Heavy
The Exhaustion of the Unknown
“I can’t stay on this road any longer—I’m exhausted, but I don’t know which way to turn.”
This is one of the most frequent and heartbreaking statements I hear from clients. When we start a new business, project, or career path, it’s usually fueled by passion, excitement, and a sense of joy. We feel unstoppable.
But somewhere along the way, the map gets crumpled. The passion gives way to frustration, and what started as joyful now feels heavy, confusing, and utterly exhausting. You know something needs to change, but you’re stuck in the middle of the road, unsure if you should turn left, right, or just stop completely.
If that feeling—the need for change coupled with the confusion about direction—sounds familiar, I want to introduce you to the process I developed to help my clients reclaim their purpose and joy: The M.A.P. Process.
Step 1: M - Measure and Map (You Can't Get There From Here)
The first crucial step in finding your unique path to joy is understanding where you currently are. Think of it this way: you wouldn't use GPS to navigate a trip without first putting in your starting location, right? We can’t create a clear, joyful path forward if we don't know our starting point or where we truly want to head.
This is where the initial Measure and Map steps come in. We need data and clarity.
M: Measure What is Draining You
To measure, we use a powerful tool called the Energy Leadership Index Assessment™ (E.L.I.). This assessment isn't just another personality quiz; it's a deep dive into how you show up in the world, especially under stress.
The E.L.I. helps us answer two critical questions:
Where is your energy leaking? (The source of the "exhaustion.")
Why do you feel stuck? (The root cause of the "heavy" feeling.)
Understanding your energetic baseline is like shining a light on the roadblocks you didn't even know were there. It provides objective data on why you feel tired and stuck, clearing the way for effective change.
M: Map the Way Forward
Once we have measured the current reality, we can begin to Map out the path forward. This step is about defining your desired destination (reclaiming joy) and the intentional directions you need to take to get there.
Mapping helps us transition from a place of confusion to a place of clarity by answering:
What does genuine joy look like for your business/career?
What specific actions will you commit to, now that you know where your energy is being spent?
What is the next immediate step to start the journey?
Ready to Trade Exhaustion for Clarity?
In both my signature Joy Jumpstart and Ignite Joy programs, we always begin with this essential Measure and Map phase. It provides the foundation for sustainable, joyful change.
If you are tired of the road you're traveling, can't see the next turn, and are ready to create your personal map back to happiness, let's connect.
