I hope you’re doing well.
That’s not a cliché conversation starter, by the way. I really hope you’re well and actively taking care of yourself.
I know as someone who is working to have a career that has meaning, and as a leader, you are often maxed out in regard to your time. I know how it feels to go and go all day, giving to others and then realizing before bed that you didn’t really give much attention or care to yourself that day. I’ve done it too.
Our professional lives should fuel what we want in our personal lives. Instead, our personal lives get what’s left over, which isn’t much.
Let’s make sure you are putting yourself on your calendar this month. How about at least once per week?
- Add your workout times to your calendar so that you don’t overschedule yourself and eat into that time.
- Schedule in time to catch your breath in between meetings.
- Spend time on your hobbies and passions at least a couple of times a month.
- Make sure regular preventative medical and mental wellness visits are scheduled in advance and added to your calendar with reminders.
It’s great to have yourself on your mental to-do list, but this next step of scheduling specific self-care activities makes them real and measurable.
Once you have your personal time scheduled, take a look at the percentage of time you spend on work and on others for a visual representation of how well you are prioritizing yourself. Color coding can make this easier. You may find you’ve been giving yourself less time than you intended.
Remember that you operate and lead your best when you’re well cared for. Self-preservation is not selfish, it’s just smart. Be well, fellow leader.