1. A method comprising: monitoring a power level corresponding to a network node; monitoring a traffic level corresponding to the network node; determining an operational weight based on the power level and the traffic level; comparing the operational weight to a selected operational weight to determine a relationship between the operational weight and the selected operational weight; executing a network node self-retirement procedure when the relationship between the operational weight and the selected operational weight satisfies a selected condition; and sending the operational weight to at least one network node when the relationship between the operational weight and the selected operational weight does not satisfy the selected condition, wherein the communicating of the operational weight to the at least one network node results in being included in a subsequently determined network topology.