There are various reasons, both personal and structural, that make it difficult for some leaders to prioritize their self-care. Leadership itself involves a heavy emotional load, which consumes a considerable amount of energy. You likely tend to think that it’s “normal” to worry about the health of your team, but not your own. Additionally, cultural, social, and organizational factors play a significant role in how team leaders in companies approach self-care, from those who claim “this isn’t part of our culture” to organizations that promote “strength and stoicism” rather than valuing self-care.
So, how can we make taking time and care for oneself a fundamental part of resilient and sustainable leadership? Behavioral change starts with a shift in mindset. Once achieved, practical strategies can be applied to put these ideas into action.
Set yourself up for success. Give yourself permission to extend care and empathy inward. If you’re currently not treating yourself as well as you treat those around you, ask yourself, “What’s stopping me from caring for myself?” Whatever your reason, think about the importance of good health for optimal professional performance.
Value what’s around you. Identify improvements in your diet and exercise when you travel, or use the next team meeting to recognize areas where you could ask others for help and support.
Avoid all-or-nothing thinking. You won’t go from neglecting yourself to perfect self-care overnight. It’s a gradual process, with ups and downs, and that’s completely normal. If you skip a workout or miss sleep due to a deadline, you can always recalibrate the next day.
Prioritize the small and consistent. Choose one or two small changes you can make this week and commit to implementing them regularly. Consistency is key to habit change. For example, take the stairs at work or enjoy your favorite music during part of your lunch instead of pushing yourself into big changes.
Find an accountability partner. If you want to set aside time for personal growth but struggle (maybe you feel guilty for “relaxing” after an 80-hour work week!), find a trusted colleague or family member to remind you to set aside an hour on Friday afternoon to reflect or learn something new.
Celebrate and savor. Acknowledge the effort you put in. Think about how you can extend or savor those moments of creation, satisfaction, or connection a bit longer before moving on to the next item on your to-do list.
