Will You Prioritize Yourself? The Necessity of Self-Care, Especially for Leaders
Are you the leader who runs on fumes? It's time to break that habit. Self-care isn't an indulgence; it's how you become the best version of yourself for those you lead.
One of my current habits is to ask people,
"What are you doing for yourself?"
The response is often a surprised pause, then
"...well, I meant to take care of myself... I had good habits, but now I just don't have time." It's all too easy to find excuses for letting our own well-being slide.
Many of us don't grasp the profound value of self-care. We think, "If I can just get up and go, that's good enough." We forget that to thrive truly, we need energy, patience, and a clear mindset. These qualities are especially critical for leaders whose days are a whirlwind of complex problems, tight deadlines, and interpersonal conflicts.
Leaders need health and vitality to stay sharp. Yet even in leadership positions, we tend to be self-sacrificing and neglect our needs. The misconception is that investing in ourselves takes away from work. However, the opposite is true! A healthy, balanced leader amplifies their work and has far more to offer those they lead.
Prioritizing Yourself IS Prioritizing Others
If you want to find a path toward better self-care, shift your perspective. See taking time for your well-being as an investment in the people around you. Here's why this mindset is essential for leaders:
- Optimal Performance: When you're physically and mentally well, your decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking are all enhanced.
- Resilience and Stress Tolerance: Self-care enables you to tackle challenges and setbacks with clarity rather than burnout.
- Modeling Positive Behaviors: Your commitment to self-care sets a powerful example for your teams, encouraging them to do the same.
- Greater Capacity: A leader running on empty cannot give their best. Caring for yourself creates the resources to mentor, guide, and support others.
You wouldn't send a starving hunter into the jungle to feed your tribe. The same principle applies to your well-being.
The Bottom Line
It's time to rethink self-care, especially in leadership. It's not selfish. It's smart. When you prioritize yourself, you become a stronger, more effective leader. Your people – and your performance – benefit directly from this investment.