How Do You Practice Self-care as a Busy Leader?

Getting to Clarity: Creating MORE Success With Less Sacrifice

Self-care is non-negotiable for individuals in leadership roles as it promotes physical and mental well-being, reduces the risk of burnout, and leads to a better, more fulfilled quality of life in and out of the workplace.

Let’s start with rating yourself on a scale of 1 – 10. One means that you have no self-care standards and are essentially running yourself into the ground. Ten, on this scale, means that you are exceedingly aware of your self-care and consistently make room for it to happen. You’re probably not a one (or at least I hope you’re not!), and you probably aren’t a 10. Likely you are somewhere in between, but perhaps not where you want to be. So let’s see what we can do about that.

Let’s start with why self-care is essential in your professional life. Self-care leads to better decision-making and a more productive, energized, and focused work environment. Leaders who prioritize self-care set a positive example for their teams and enhance their relationships with colleagues, co-workers, and clients too. Self-care fosters creativity and reduces stress levels, allowing leaders to remain resilient and focused. By prioritizing self-care, leaders can ensure they have the energy, focus, and resilience needed to succeed and lead effectively in their demanding role.

Self-care has numerous benefits that go beyond the workplace too. Taking care of yourself helps improve your physical and mental health, leading to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. Regular self-care is tied to increased confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to deal with challenges with more resilience and positivity. By prioritizing self-care, you get to lead a more balanced life, feel more in control, and have the energy and focus needed to enjoy the things that matter most to you.

What is self-care for you as a busy leader? It is you being intentional about prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, with the aim of enhancing your ability to lead authentically with more energy and resilience.

I can hear you thinking about it now as you read this. How do I make time for self-care when so much is going on?

As a busy leader, making time for self-care can seem challenging. However, it is important to remember that self-care is not an optional luxury but a critical component of your success. To make time for self-care, you can start by incorporating small, manageable practices into your daily routines, such as taking a quick walk during lunch or practicing mindfulness for a few minutes each morning. To lead yourself and others, successful self-care is whatever you will consistently do.

Start by scheduling it into your calendar, setting aside dedicated time for activities like exercise or meditation. Additionally, you can delegate tasks, prioritize your workload, and say no to non-essential commitments, freeing up more time for self-care. As a leader, It is also important to prioritize rest and relaxation and make sleep a priority by creating a sleep-conducive environment and limiting screen time before bed.

Consider bringing this conversation into your workplace to your teams too. Walk the talk by encouraging active rest principles at work, whether in the office, at home, or in a hybrid environment.

Active rest is a form of self-care that involves engaging in light physical activity during breaks from work. This can include stretching, going for a short walk, or doing simple exercises at one's desk. Active rest is an effective way for individuals to manage stress and boost their energy levels. It promotes blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, resulting in increased focus and productivity and reducing muscle tension. Fewer aches and pains from sitting too long? Yes, please!

Here's my challenge to you. Take the next 90 days and see how you can improve your self-care rating. By taking small, deliberate steps towards self-care, you can ensure you have the energy, focus, and resilience needed to lead effectively and enjoy more success at work with less sacrifice in your life.

Here’s wishing you all the Clarity and self-care you deserve!