Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Stop Wasting Your Energy: How to Focus on What Actually Matters | E483

Nov 6, 2025

Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist and author of *Wise Effort*, discusses the importance of focusing your energy wisely. She reveals three key patterns that drain our energy and defines 'genius energy'—that effortless flow found when we align with our strengths. Diana shares practical tools like the 24-hour regret scan to identify what's draining you and four crucial questions to help prioritize your time and effort. By shifting our perspective and curating energizing relationships, we can reclaim our vitality and make intentional choices that truly matter.

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INSIGHT

Energy Patterns Drive Life Change

Energy patterns underlie health, work, relationships, parenting, and creativity.
Understanding energy use transforms multiple life domains quickly.

INSIGHT

Three Core Energy Drains

Three common patterns drain energy: story-believing, discomfort avoidance, and holding on too tight.
Each pattern redirects effort away from what truly matters and creates sustained drain.

INSIGHT

What Genius Energy Means

'Genius energy' is your effortless, highly skilled offering that feels like flow.
Using your genius energy produces ease and fuels further creativity and service.

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Have you ever said yes when every part of you was quietly screaming no? Or pushed through your day on fumes, wondering where your energy went? We’ve all been there - doing a million things that look productive but leave us totally drained.

In this episode, I’m talking with psychologist and author Dr. Diana Hill about how to reclaim your energy and focus by using them wisely. Diana’s new book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, is about learning to tell the difference between what fuels you and what quietly burns you out. We get into how to recognize “unwise effort” - those moments when you’re forcing, overdoing, or holding on too tight - and how to reconnect with your genius energy, that natural flow that feels effortless and alive.

She also shares simple ways to check in with yourself: a 24-hour “regret scan” to see where your energy went off-track, and four questions to help you decide what’s actually worth your time, attention, and heart. It’s all about being intentional, not perfect, and remembering that the most powerful thing you can do is choose where your energy goes.

As you listen, notice where your energy feels pulled, and what choices leave you feeling lighter, freer, more yourself. What are you still holding on to that’s quietly exhausting you? And what would it look like to let that go?

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 What Is Wise Effort and Why Energy Matters
02:50 Three Patterns That Drain Your Energy
07:04 Finding Your Genius Energy
11:04 Regret as a Compass for Wise Energy
22:00 The Four-Question Filter for Wise Decisions
29:39 How Relationships Affect Your Energy
42:30 Reclaiming Energy and Focus Through Wise Effort

If you’ve been feeling scattered or depleted, this may be your moment to pause and realign. Working with one of our expert therapists or coaches can help you understand where your energy and focus are going - and guide you toward choices that feel more grounded, intentional, and restorative. Schedule your free consultation to start creating the balance you’ve been craving.

xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
Growing Self