self-care for leaders

​It is said that inner peace is the new success.  Young leaders—and all of us were young once—seem to believe they can pay high prices for success without it really impacting their life.

Now we know better.  However, that doesn’t mean we’re doing better.  Stress is a killer.  It actually releases cortisol that can lead to issues beyond heart disease.  Taking care of yourself is not just a good idea, it’s critical. 

I once asked a group of Baby Boomers what they most wish they’d known when they were in their 20’s and 30’s.  They offered ideas related to simplifying, targeting and enjoying.  Not one focused on making more money.
Making money is not bad.  Making a life, however, is a great idea.  You can do both.  Here are three steps to get you started:

1. Self-awareness.  Take the time to identify where you are now.  What aspects of work stress you out?  When you get stressed, where do you feel it in your body?  Listen to that. Take notes. Take time to become aware of how you hope to be in the later part of your career.  One YPN group I spoke to wanted to know how to balance work with life goals of becoming parents.  Think ahead to where you want to be, and how you want to be.
2. Self-care.  Identify what works for you.  Diet and exercise options abound.  Kayaking works for me.  What will work for you?  Make use of what you have.  Make use of your minutes.  Close the door.  Go outdoors.  Look at something that brings you joy.  All three of those can be done in less than a minute.  Go ahead, take two or three minutes, and work your way up to five.  It’s OK.
3. Self-love.  You will only create self-awareness and self-care if you love yourself.  Listen.  This isn’t something to minimize.  Appreciate yourself, and love yourself.  To change you and to inspire others, a healthy self-love will energize you to create that change.

I was Director of Sales and Marketing for South Dakota Department of Tourism, and I had just returned from my first overseas trip to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, when I got a phone call saying my mom had died from a heart attack. She was only 62.  During that blurry week, I learned that her mother had also died of heart issues at the same age: 62.  At the time I was 34.  I became very aware of my health and my lack of self-care.  I started to walk my heart and changed what I ate.  I realized I had lots of love for everyone else, but was very critical of myself.  I still work on that, but I have made progress. 

Self-awareness, self-care and self-love are critical for leaders who care about not only themselves and their families, but for your employees.  Healthy employees cost less, perform better, and create better cultures.  And healthy employees are happy employees. And that makes everyone’s journey better!

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