Most people don’t fail because they run out of time. They fail because they run out of energy.

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In aviation, pilots don’t “hope” they’ll have enough fuel. They plan reserves, calculate burn rates, and build margin long before takeoff. 

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Leadership is no different — yet most professionals live like they’re flying on empty.

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The Real Problem

High performers don’t collapse from one big failure. 

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They slowly bleed energy through:

• Endless meetings
• Constant notifications
• Poor sleep
• No thinking time
• Zero recovery space

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This isn’t burnout.

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It’s poor fuel management.

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Energy is the real leadership advantage.

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Why Leaders Hit Empty Mid-Flight

Pilots never plan a flight to land at zero fuel.

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Leaders often do.

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They schedule back-to-back days.

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They ignore recovery.

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They treat rest like weakness.

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Eventually, performance drops — not from lack of ability, but lack of fuel.

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The Energy Shift

Here’s the difference between average performers and high performers:

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Average leaders react to fatigue. High performers plan for it.

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They build energy margins into their day:

• Morning routines
• Hard stop times
• No-meeting windows
• Non-negotiable workouts
• Protected thinking time

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Energy becomes a system, not a feeling.

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Your Shift

Before you plan your next week, answer this:

Where am I bleeding energy?

Where do I need more reserves?

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This week, make one shift:

• Protect one hour
• Build one boundary
• Create one recharge rule
  
  

Momentum doesn’t come from more effort.

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It comes from better fuel planning.

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Join the Movement

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Chris M Wilson