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As I've been preparing for the Working Genius Workshop next week, I've found myself reflecting on just how much this framework has changed the way I look at work.

Not because it helped me become more productive.

It did.

But because it helped me understand why certain parts of my work gave me energy while other parts left me completely drained.

For years, I thought that was just part of being an adult.

Turns out, there was more to it than that.

The thing I wish I had noticed sooner

Before I retired from education, I spent a lot of time trying to fix what I thought was a motivation problem.

If a task felt draining, I assumed I needed a better system. A better routine. More willpower. Sometimes those things helped. But not nearly as much as I expected.

The key was this:

I could spend an hour creating a new therapy activity and feel energized.

Then spend an hour on paperwork and feel completely wiped out.

Same person.

Same workday.

Same timeframe.

Very different experience. And here's the part that surprised me. The paperwork wasn't the problem. The real problem was assuming I should experience every part of my work the same way.

I see this happen with clients all the time. They assume if they're struggling with a task, something must be wrong with them. Most of the time, that's not what's happening at all.

Which brings me to one of the most helpful frameworks I've found.

The reason your coworker loves what you avoid

The Working Genius framework explains why two people can do the exact same work and walk away with completely different energy afterward.

One person loves brainstorming new ideas while another would rather skip straight to the plan. Some people get excited about organizing and creating structure. Others start checking the clock five minutes in.

The same thing happens throughout a project. One person loves launching the idea and getting everyone excited. Another comes alive by supporting the people involved and helping things run smoothly.

None of those preferences are wrong. None are better than the others. They're simply different ways people are wired to contribute.

The problem happens when we assume we should enjoy every part of the process equally. In all my years working with people, I've never actually seen that happen.

A quick experiment for this week

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unusually tired, try this.

For the next few days, pay attention to your energy instead of your productivity.

Ask yourself:

• What tasks seem to make time disappear?

• What tasks leave me feeling energized afterward?

• What tasks feel heavy before I even begin?

• What work do I keep putting off, even when I know it's important?

Don't judge the answers. Just notice them.

One of my clients recently realized she wasn't procrastinating on her business.

She was procrastinating on one specific type of work inside her business.

That changed everything.

There's more to that story, but that's for another day.

A resource worth exploring

If you've never heard of Working Genius, it's one of the few assessments I've seen that people immediately start applying.

Not because it's complicated. Because it's practical.

It helps answer questions like:

"Why do I love this part of my work?"

"Why does this other part drain me?"

"Why does my spouse, coworker, or business partner seem so different from me?"

Those questions matter more than most people realize.

Why I'm teaching this next week

One of the biggest changes I've made since retiring from education is intentionally designing my business around more of my geniuses and less of my frustrations.

Not perfectly.

There are still tasks that need to get done.

But understanding where my energy comes from has helped me make better decisions about how I spend my time and where I need support.

I've watched clients experience similar breakthroughs.

That's why I'm hosting the Working Genius Workshop on June 16.

​Learn more here.​

We'll walk through all six types, identify your natural areas of genius, and help you understand where your energy may be leaking.

If you've ever wondered why some work feels effortless and other work feels exhausting, this workshop will give you language for what you're already experiencing.

One question to carry with you

As you move through this week, pay attention to what gives you energy.

Not what you're good at.

Not what other people expect from you.

What actually leaves you feeling more alive when you're done.

That answer might be pointing toward something important.

See you next week,

Terrie

P.S. If you're joining us for the Working Genius Workshop on June 16, I'd love to know one thing ahead of time: What task do you consistently avoid, even when you know it matters? Hit reply and tell me.