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Today we are at the halfway point of our 10-week challenge! Take a moment to reflect:
Being a leader is hard work. There are plenty of changes, ambiguity, and challenges. We want to take good care of those around us on our teams and at home. And it’s easy to run out of time in the day to take good care of ourselves. When we do that, we invite stress and burnout to be close by. I don’t want that to happen to you. If you are one of those people who don’t have time for consistent self-care, today’s Monday Moment is especially for you. Your daily self-care needs to be at the top of your priority list. I’m not talking about pedicures, although those are lovely. I’m talking about TAKING 15 minutes a day just for you. Yes, I said taking. No one comes up to you and says “Be sure to take your self-care time today.”. It’s up to you to make it a priority. It’s not selfish and there is no need to feel guilty. You cannot be at your best if you are not taking good care of yourself. Quick Tip: Here’s an easy way to get started. Find a consistent time every day and block off 15 minutes on your calendar. Call it whatever you like. What matters is that the people around you know that time is yours and not to interrupt you. Everything will be fine for 15 minutes. Then try out a few different things during your self-care time to see what fills you back up, relieves your stress, and makes your feel a bit refreshed. Yes, all those things can happen in 15 minutes. These are some of the things women I’ve coached have tried: reading a chapter in a favorite book, yoga poses, napping, knitting (my personal favorite), journaling, drawing, taking a bubble bath, sitting quietly with your favorite cup of tea, taking the dog for a walk, arranging fresh flowers (another of my personal favorites), meditating, coloring a mandala, reading poetry, writing poetry. You get the idea. Experiment. Try something. Then STOP, breathe and notice how you feel. You’ll find your favorites. Of course, you can do the bigger self-care things like getting a manicure, going to the gym, skiing, long walks around the lake, doing a spa day, or spa weekend with your favorite friends. These are wonderful. But you’ll benefit even more from doing something daily to let go of any stress or frustration that may have built up inside; often without even realizing it. Week 5 - Monday Moment Habit Creator Take out your calendar right now, and block out 15 minutes for yourself every day this week. It can be the same time every day. It can be at different times every day.
And be sure to do your deep breathing for the first 90 seconds of your self-care time. The deep breathing will help your body and mind get maximum benefit. This is one of the hardest habits for leaders to build. Give yourself plenty of grace this week. Do your best to honor the time commitment you are making to yourself for 15 minutes of every day just for you. The benefits build over time. As my dear friend and colleague, Louise Griffith says, You are Worth It! Let me know how it goes! If this Monday Moment resonated with you, please feel free to share it with a friend or colleague, and remember, if you ever feel stuck, I’m here to help. Reach out to me on LinkedIn or email me. Have a great week! Warm regards, Rita Webster, Ph.D.
The Executive Coach for Women Leaders Connect With Me On LinkedIn 612-598-6614 | http://www.wiseleader.net/
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August 2022
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