“The Western workplace culture — exported to many other parts of the world — is practically fueled by stress, sleep deprivation, and burnout. This is profoundly — and negatively — affecting our creativity, our productivity, and our decision making: the very things entrepreneurs need to succeed.” ~Arianna Huffington
This quote resonates with me as recently I have had conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from various industries expressing their frustration of feeling unable to fully engage in self-care and at times fear “taking time off.”
The uncertainty and challenges exacerbated by the pandemic have many still too “busy” and afraid to commit to their own well-being. And yet it is proven that your success both personally and professionally depends on your ability to master self-care.
What exactly is self-care? Self-care is anything that you do to take care of your physical health, mental mindset, and emotional well-being. It isn’t necessarily the same thing for everyone. Some may consider it to be spending the day at the spa in relaxation, for others it might be quiet time to read, or even a bike ride outdoors. For Arianna Huffington it includes decluttering and letting go, not just of physical objects, but toxic feelings that come from lack of forgiveness and holding onto the past. And she, like many, institutes a daily gratitude practice which helps enhance an overall sense of well-being.
Self-care is far from a selfish act; it is essential to better leadership. Self-care is making time for you to do the things that keep you in a balance state and able to manage the stresses of life. In helping yourself, you maximize the ability to support others – your family, friends, and employees. Not only is it okay to do, but necessary – it’s a secret weapon benefitting both you and the people around you.
Here are four ways self-care makes you a stronger leader, business owner, and entrepreneur.
1) It helps you think clearly and develops creativity. Inspiration and creativity happen when your mind is calm. Taking time for breaks whether for a quick walk or breathing exercise you are bound to feel more relaxed and focused.
2) It helps you reflect on what matters most. When all your needs from a physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and environmental aspect are met, it frees your mind to make informed and educated decisions.
3) It helps you achieve top performance. Do you want to perform at the top of your game? Self-care alleviates stress and frees your energy for the tasks at hand.
4) It helps you give others permission to take care of themselves. Being a role model in this area sets the tone for a healthy workplace culture, one of resiliency and well-being.
Bonus Tip: The way to ensure you work in your self-care routine is to schedule it into your day. From 10 -minute exercise or mediation breaks to planning to participate in your favorite pastime or indulgence, having these scheduled into your routine will make all the difference. #self-care #well-being #entreprenuership #leadership #executives
