Leaders are no good for their people if they’re exhausted, overstressed, or burned out.
One of the best things you can do for your team is to make sure you’re taking care of you — your body and your mind. You can’t be effective if you’re always running on empty.
- Be mindful of your physical and emotional health. Pay attention to how you’re feeling, and take steps to address any areas of concern. This could include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
- Set boundaries. It’s important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This means saying no to requests that are unreasonable or that will take away from your personal time. It also means protecting your time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax and de-stress.
- Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to others whenever possible so that you can free up some of your time for self-care.
- Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Get up and move around, step outside for some fresh air, or close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Do things you enjoy. Make time for activities that make you happy. This could be anything from reading a book to spending time with loved ones to taking a walk in nature. For me, a drive in my roadster with the top down (and lately with music by Kygo blasting into the open air) does the trick. Beep beep!
- Seek support. If you’re struggling to take care of yourself, don’t be afraid to seek support from others. Talk to a friend, family member, therapist, or other trusted person.
Oh, and remember that asking for help from a trusted advisor, friend, or professional is a sign of strength, not weakness. Never let anyone make you feel otherwise.