Whether you’re plugging personal or professional invisible drains, a few key questions can stop the seepage. When you find yourself feeling frustrated, confused, angry, or afraid, the following questions will help you regain your composure, and identify the time, energy, money, and other resources drains challenging you.

Drain Plugging Practices

1. Is this within my sphere of control?

2. If not, am I trying to infuse myself into a situation that I may potentially make worse by trying to help?

3. Are there details I may not be aware of that could alter how someone else is handling the situation?

4. What is lacking attention in my area while I'm expending time and energy concerning myself with what others are, or are not, doing?

5. If this is within my sphere of control, how am I treating the people involved?

6. If asked, would they describe my actions as professional and thorough, while equally calm and reassuring?

7. Do those I lead see me as someone they can count on to make well-balanced decisions?
8. Am I someone whose actions support what I say--do I follow through and keep my word?
9. Do my subordinates see me as someone they can trust who has their back?

10. Am I giving others what I would like to receive if the tables were turned?

11. When frustration rises, what am I afraid of? What consequences do I fear?

12. Why do I feel as if I "need" to control?

13. Who might I hurt if my efforts to control escalate, at work, in my community, at home, and/or within myself?
14. Where do I seem to get myself in trouble--are there patterns in my past that I can use as warning flags to protect me in the future? (i.e. Do I have a tendency to take control of meetings and dominate dialogue versus listening and considering other points of view? When I ask someone a question, do I cut them off as they're answering to add my "fix it" thoughts.)

This exercise has proven beneficial among many of the leaders, businesses, and dream tenders I’ve worked with.

Filling Needs:

1. Listen twice as much as you speak, and focus on truly hearing the other party. (Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.)
2. Ask more questions and make fewer statements at people during challenging moments.
3. Slow down just a bit in speech, bring your decibel down slightly, and focus on sounding calm and reassuring when speaking to others.
4. You exist on purpose, with purpose, in order to fulfill an abundant purpose, so before speaking or acting, ask yourself, What is the core purpose in the response I'm getting ready to give?
5. Remember, you can't experience a miracle without first experiencing a problem. See challenges as potential miracles in the making, versus something that turns your world upside down.

When you practice invisible drain plugging, it becomes easier over time.

This episode’s Dream Tending Tips:

• Self-analysis is the first key step in plugging any drain.

• Review the processes connected to your drain: personal habits, work flow, outside vendors, customers, clients, what overlooked areas are stealing time, energy, and money?

• It’s tough to face your drains, but ignoring one will only cost you more than you’ve lost up to now.

• Lack of education or training is an expensive drain. What might you not know that you don’t know?

• Don’t forget that fear lies at the core of anger. When you are mad, ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?”

• We get what we give. Consider this as you react to current circumstances.

• Patterns from your past need not determine your future.

• Never forget that you exist on purpose, with purpose, and for an abundant purpose. Do not allow insecurity to drain you of your dreams.

• Identify YOUR invisible drains. What are those areas that are costing you time, energy, money, and other resources? How can you start plugging them?

Grab the Tending Your Dreams’ free giveaway at tendyourdreams.com/freebie32 for your gift, just for tuning in. I also have some special eBook pricing for you.

Type in the code TYDeb50 to get your copy of 4x4 Habit Overhaul, or One Minute Intervals™: Sixty Seconds to a Healthier, Foodier You, or Depression Busters, at over half off the normal price. Purchase a book bundle using the same code, and save even more.

But ACT NOW, before this special eBook discount offer is gone.

Until next time, remember, your dreams are waiting for you to grab and tend:

Take courage.

Excel daily.

Never stop believing.

Dare to dream bigger.

Host Anita Agers Brooks can be found on various social media platforms, and you can discover additional dream tending tips at tendyourdreams.com.