I’ll be honest.
The past few weeks have been difficult.
At work.
In my motivation.
In my energy.
Every autumn, it happens.
The days get shorter.
The sunlight fades.
The weather changes.
And this year, I’ve felt my energy slowly slipping away—almost without realizing it.
This time, the drop was stronger than usual.
If you’ve been feeling something similar, know this:
You’re not alone.
Why Autumn Affects Us More Than We Think
Autumn brings a significant mental and physical transition.
- Less natural sunlight → lower serotonin, dopamine, and vitamin D levels.
- Work picks up after summer → more pressure, tighter deadlines, more urgency.
- Cooler temperatures → our bodies expend more energy adapting.
- Busy routines return → children’s activities, social commitments, meetings, and year-end objectives.
The result?
We feel heavier.
We recover more slowly.
We become more irritable.
And our batteries slowly drain without ever being fully recharged.
That’s far from ideal when you’re a leader, a manager, or an entrepreneur.
Because our energy determines our ability to think clearly, make sound decisions, inspire others, and move forward.
What I Realized
Over the past few weeks, I tried to push through.
I stuck to my routines.
I forced myself to keep going.
But nothing worked.
I had simply run out of fuel.
That’s when I had a realization.
We can’t expect our bodies to deliver what we never take the time to replenish.
Autumn doesn’t ask us to do more.
It asks us to become more intentional.
Today, I’d like to share what helped me regain both my energy and my momentum.
Slow Down to Move Forward
Our instinct is often to push harder.
But autumn invites us to do the opposite.
✔️ Simplify.
✔️ Eliminate what’s unnecessary.
✔️ Give yourself a genuine mental break.
A leader doesn’t need to be constantly moving.
A leader needs to remain clear-minded.
Ask for Support
Talking about low energy isn’t a sign of weakness.
It’s a sign of self-awareness.
Lean on your family.
Your colleagues.
Your friends.
Your mentors.
We all go through difficult seasons.
We don’t have to go through them alone.
Leadership Has Seasons Too
We talk a lot about performance.
We rarely talk about rhythms.
Yet leadership follows the same natural cycles as nature itself.
🌱 Spring: Growth
☀️ Summer: Momentum
🍂 Autumn: Transition
❄️ Winter: Reflection
And it’s perfectly normal to need time to regain your balance.
Take Care of Your Energy. It’s Your Most Valuable Leadership Tool
We all want to become better leaders.
Better parents.
Better human beings.
But none of that is possible without energy.
Energy isn’t a luxury.
It isn’t a “nice-to-have.”
It’s the foundation.
So if you feel your energy fading this autumn, listen to your body.
Adjust your pace.
Slow down where you need to.
Take simple—but powerful—steps to realign yourself.
Your team doesn’t need a perfect leader.
They need a leader who is present.
Clear-minded.
And recharged.
Carl-Michael Tessier
Supporting the Overlooked Managers Working Evenings, Nights, and Weekends
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