Self-care for real life

I am speaking next week to a national audience on the topic of self-care.  This group is IT professionals whose service to their organizations makes it possible for them to succeed at what they do.  Any pressure here?

It's hard to create a self-care practice when you're really busy.  The irony is that being really busy creates many of the challenges that need to be overcome for self-care to be effective, to be real.

I'm sharing a Road MAP for self-care that anyone can use:
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Mindset: Your self-care journey is your responsibility. You will succeed only if you own it.  Ownership is a level higher than just being accountable for something.  When you own it, you are in charge.  Be in charge of your self-care.

Actions: Your self-care and mine may not be the same.  I have to "walk my heart" and I have to "care for my brain" due to my family history of heart disease and my own traumatic brain injury.  Events changed my life and forced me to take actions that will help me overcome and live my best life.  Your positive mindset says you can choose actions good for your body, your mind, and your soul.  Choose well!

People: Yes, you are doing this for you.  But a wonderful "why" for this journey is the fact that you are not an island.  You have people you love and work with and serve.  Think of it as circles.  You're the inner circle, and like ripples on a lake, your self-care practice goes out, affecting those you love, work with, serve, etc.  

There are many great inspiring reasons to practice self-care.  Perhaps the best is summed up in the message above:  If you don't make time for your health and wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.  Be pro-active.  Make the time for you and your self-care for another very simple reason:  you're worth it!

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