6 Bad Habits That Drain Energy & Lead to Burnout

by Adam Janowski
Personality Traits - why are you tired all the time

Your Personality Traits & Behavior Tendencies May Cause Energy drain!

We all have days where it feels like the world is taking too much from us—whether it’s the demanding boss, the needy friends, or the chaos of everyday life. But what if the real reason you feel drained isn’t actually other people? What if, instead, it’s how you’re navigating the world that’s leaving you feeling exhausted?

It’s easy to blame external circumstances, but there’s a deeper layer we often overlook: our own behavior patterns. The good news? That’s where the power to change exists. The Authentic Behavior Contrast (ABContrast) offers new ways to think about why you might be feeling so drained, and more importantly, how to restore your energy by aligning with your true self.

Here’s how you might be unknowingly causing your own exhaustion—and how understanding your authentic behavior patterns could help you feel energized again.

1. Overcommitting Without Boundaries

If you’re constantly saying “yes” to everything, you’re spreading yourself too thin. But what if your natural tendencies lean toward being more reserved or practical? When we act out of sync with our authentic preferences, we quickly become fatigued. The ABContrast model highlights this tension—showing how a mismatch between who you are and what you do depletes your energy faster than any external demand.

Solution: Through ABContrast, you can identify which of the main types you align with—whether it’s more Empathic, Autocratic, or another combination. By understanding where your authentic tendencies lie, you can set boundaries that reflect your natural preferences, making it easier to say no to things that drain you and yes to what energizes you.

2. Negative Self-Talk and Perfectionism

A constant inner dialogue of criticism is a fast track to burnout. Often, people push themselves to fit into roles or directions that aren’t aligned with their true nature. The ABContrast model can reveal whether you naturally lean toward being more forward (decisive and practical) or reserved (thoughtful and strategic). Trying to act against this innate pattern can lead to constant feelings of inadequacy.

Solution: When you understand your authentic behavior type, you can approach challenges with confidence, knowing that you’re playing to your strengths. Instead of criticizing yourself for not fitting into a mold that wasn’t really even meant for you, the ABContrast can help you appreciate your unique strengths and release the need for perfectionism.

3. Ignoring Your Self-Care Needs

The demands of life often cause us to neglect our own needs like rest and recovery. But did you know your type might influence how you recharge? For example, some types in the ABContrast model, like the Harmonic, are naturally balanced in all directions and might need time to preserve their equilibrium. Meanwhile, Autocratic types may find quick, decisive actions re-energizing. When we fail to honor our true tendencies, we quickly become depleted.

Solution: Using the ABContrast model, you can discover the best ways to refuel based on your unique type. Are you someone who thrives on quiet reflection, or do you need action and forward momentum to feel alive again? Aligning your self-care routine with your type will help restore your energy more effectively.

4. Being a People-Pleaser

If you’re constantly trying to please others at the expense of your own needs, you might be living out of alignment with your authentic preferences. The ABContrast model highlights this by showing which behaviors come naturally to you. An Empathic type might thrive in supportive, nurturing roles, but if they take on too many forward-facing, practical tasks, they’ll end up feeling drained.

Solution: By understanding your ABContrast type, you can find balance. It helps you know when you need to step back from people-pleasing behaviors and refocus on what genuinely matters to you. You’ll be able to say no more comfortably, knowing that your energy is better spent on activities and relationships that align with who you truly are.

5. Unresolved Emotions

Burying emotions and avoiding conflict may seem easier in the moment, but it can sap your energy over time. Different types in the ABContrast model deal with emotions in different ways. For example, Dynamic types thrive on interpersonal engagement and may need to resolve emotional issues quickly, while more reserved types might need time to process.

Solution: Your Authentic Behavior Contrast results report helps you understand how you naturally handle emotional situations and find ways to resolve conflicts that feel authentic to you. This understanding allows you to approach difficult situations with less resistance, preventing them from becoming a constant drain on your mental and emotional energy.

6. Living Out of Alignment with Your Values

When you’re living a life that doesn’t reflect your core values or authentic behavior style, it’s no wonder you feel constantly exhausted. If your job, relationships, or daily activities don’t align with your natural tendencies—whether it’s being too forward when you’re actually more reserved or trying to fit into a highly practical environment when you’re more interpersonal—it creates tension.

Solution: With the ABContrast model, you can identify the behaviors and environments that align with your authentic self. When your work and personal life support your natural tendencies, you’ll find more energy and fulfillment in the things you do, rather than feeling drained by trying to conform to something that doesn’t suit you.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to think that others are draining your energy, but the real reason is that we’re living out of alignment with who we are. The Authentic Behavior Contrast model is a tool designed to help you understand your true tendencies—whether you’re more forward or reserved, practical or interpersonal. By aligning your daily actions with your natural preferences, you can regain control over your energy, and instead of feeling drained, you’ll feel more vibrant and energized.

The truth is, when we live authentically, we have more to give, and life feels less like a drain and more like a source of energy. Embrace your true self, and watch the burnout start to fade away.