“How do I Prioritize my self-care? How do women do it all?” a client recently asked in a coaching session.
I get it! Focusing on self-care can feel like a waste of time! Especially, all the preventative maintenance, such as watching what you eat, getting movement in during the day, stress management, mental health care, and getting sufficient sleep. Those are all things that to the human body are like oil to a car. If we don’t get these essentials, we eventually need to pull over and refuel. That refuel can be even more costly than preventative care.
As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the demands of your role and forget about the importance of self-care. Self-care is not just a trendy buzzword; it’s a crucial leadership skill. Leaders who prioritize their well-being are more effective in maximizing energy and giving to others. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s an investment in your ability to lead others.
Here are four steps to incorporate self-care into your leadership toolkit.
1) Recognize Any Energy Leaks
First, it starts with awareness of the tank empty. Just like the car, you can’t keep going on empty. Take time to recognize when you’re feeling burnt out or overwhelmed. You may have a week where you’re constantly giving to others, whether it’s mentoring team members or making tough decisions. It’s easy to fall into the trap of neglecting your own needs, but that’s a recipe for burnout. Refueling your tank is essential for maintaining your energy and mental clarity.
2) Identify Self-Care Activities
Next, designing your self-care structure is key. This means identifying activities that help you recharge and scheduling them into your routine. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or a hobby you enjoy, prioritize your self-care. Imagine that it is a part of your work week! Even 15 minute increments matter.
Practicing self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks (although those can be nice too!). It’s about developing a routine that works for you, whether it’s getting enough sleep, walking, or simply taking micro-breaks throughout the day. By prioritizing your well-being, you’re setting an example for your team and showing them that self-care is important.
3) Consider Your Future Self
It’s also important to consider what you lose by not doing it. Without self-care, you may find yourself becoming irritable, inefficient, and lacking in creativity. By taking care of yourself, you’re able to bring your best self to your work day. Incorporating self-care into your leadership toolkit may seem like a small change, but it can have a huge impact on your success and the success of your team. Don’t underestimate the power of taking care of yourself.
A great question to reflect on is “What would your future self say about your self-care? What advice would they offer?”
4) Be a Consistent Role Model
By making self-care a habit, you’re setting yourself up for leadership success. Consistently practicing self-care will increase your resilience, productivity, and overall well-being.
As a leader, you have the power to influence those around you. By modeling self-care, you’re setting an example for your team to prioritize their own well-being. And by promoting it, you’re creating a culture of self-care that benefits everyone.
And, if you’d like some additional support, I offer breakthrough sessions to explore topics such as these. Feel free to reach out!
Check out what I can do for you, and let’s start working together!
