Fuel is the starting source for producing energy and, just as with our home heating systems, our bodies require fuel in order to avoid depletion and keep going. You can’t run on empty. Becoming worn out not only affects physical health, but, in a domino effect, may also place a (literal and figurative) drag on your mental, emotional, and relational well-being.

In my May 27th Ageless Beat blog, Time Out, I wrote about the value of renewing in order to de-stress and be more productive again. This week, I want to add to that by mentioning some simple tidbits and energizing options you can try right now, regardless of finances, location, age or other circumstances.

In her article, 12 Weekend Habits of Highly Successful People, Emma Rushton suggests that the most productive and prosperous among us typically view weekends as secret weapons for success. She is quick to add that the same actions can be done all week, as well, adding a quote of Aristotle’s, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Rushton offers collected tidbits of wisdom from such famous high-powered people as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Anna Wintour, Timothy Ferris, and Warren Buffet. Among their suggested practices, which can be beneficial for professional, as well as personal fulfillment, are:

* Don’t multi-task, as it reduces effectiveness. Instead, be present for each single activity.

* Stay Active as an active body is key for an active mind.

* Prioritize what’s important to keep work-life harmony in balance.

* Make time for hobbies, which make for an interesting life while also fostering creativity and relieving stress (Do you prefer Indoors? Outdoors? Participation or observation? Are you a puzzle fan? An athlete? Do you ride horses, do yoga, love to collect a particular item, enjoy reading or writing, make original crafts or models, sing, work with technology/electronics, cook, collect, keep bees, etc.?).

* Practice stillness (Since recovering from surgery, I have found this to be especially helpful, particularly while sitting in my back yard on a beautiful day as I did this past Memorial Day weekend and appreciating the added healthful benefit of viewing flowers, trees and wildlife).

* Take time to reflect and assess what works and doesn’t, which activities to continue or release, what will work best to amp up your ability to be energized and successful.

* Give back – in addition to feeling great it can help re-energize your thinking in other areas.

I would also add, give fuel to yourself … you cannot live your fullest life, or even be there for those you care about, if you are on empty. Even doing just one energy-enhancing action today can begin to make a difference.

Have you felt depleted at any time lately? What did you do to re-fuel?

(Image Credit: Statue of Buddha in meditation position, garden, View Ave NW, Seattle, Washington, USA by Wonderlane, Flickr.com)

In her Huff Post 50+ article, Women Over 50 Are Invisible? I Must Have Missed The Memo, Erica Jagger asks “Here’s an if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest question: if society didn’t tell older women they were invisible, would older women still feel invisible?” She shares her surprise at another over-50 writer’s depressing acceptance/submission to the idea that women of a certain age have little value or appeal.

When something is invisible, it is unable to be seen, unobservable, the opposite of detectable, obvious, visible. Sometimes, as in films, comics and other media, invisibility happens through magical means (or like the Wizard of Oz, simply with the aid of a curtain) and can be a desired state.

I address this timely issue and perspective in my forthcoming newest book, The Ageless Way, as evidenced in the italicized excerpts below:

One of the biggest fears we have about aging is of becoming invisible, irrelevant to the world. Women, who are valued for their appearance first and foremost in our society, tend to feel this diminishment more acutely than men as they age.

The negative side of being invisible is clear to most of us. The world no longer seems to notice or care about us or what we have to say. We seem to lose our voice because no one is listening. Sometimes, we don’t even use our voice because we don’t believe we’ll be heard, so why bother? Being invisible contributes to the vexing problem of low self-esteem, robbing women of the confidence they need to stand up and make a difference.

But there is a positive side to being invisible, as Doris Lessing captures so eloquently, “And then not expecting it, you become middle-aged and anonymous. No one notices you. You achieve a wonderful freedom. It is a positive thing. You can move about, unnoticed and invisible.”

Lessing had it right that there is a power to being able to work behind the scenes and make change without worrying about our own egos. We have the ability to go with the flow of nature, of life, and the profound opportunity to influence others to make earth-shattering changes without anyone even realizing we are doing so.

Thus, we women must step forward today and act on our power to make a difference—through our votes, purchases, leadership, vision, and yes, entrepreneurial success. Striving for meaningful, sustainable, and profitable success is necessary if we are to have the resources and power to lead significant change—at any age and for all ages.

 The challenge is to balance the invisible and the visible, to know when we need to work behind the scenes and when we need to speak up and be heard—be present. We need to learn how to marry our invisible power with our visible, visionary leadership.

 We need to lead the way toward women being a powerful presence for change without losing the invisibility required to effect that change. I suggest we start by recognizing the power of invisibility in the first place and understanding that to be invisible doesn’t mean to be inadequate or without value or voice—just the opposite.

 Invisibility is inherently powerful. By understanding and learning how to use this power, we will begin to see more clearly the times when stepping out of the shadows will make remaining in the shadows the only way to shine a light on a future that matters, to all of us.

 In what circumstances have you felt invisible? Most visible? When have you best balanced being visible and invisible?

(NOTE: If you want to learn more about The Ageless Way, or to order an advance copy, please contact me at Karen@KarenSands.com)

(Image Credit: Photo by Clarita on morgueFile).