Self Care and Productivity

I get asked all the time how to manage time and energy when growing a business. Where do I always start?

Self Care.

Yes, it’s the very first thing. Radical self-care. An absolute commitment to yourself. First.

I’m too busy, that’s selfish, I’ve got too much to do!

Sound familiar? I’ve heard those words in my own mind as well. I learned the hard way, when I started and grew my brick and mortar business to seven figures after just two years. Over time, the things that nurture my body and spirit dropped away. I had buying, merchandising, payroll, inventory, employees, banking, bookkeeping, and customer service, all wanting my time and energy. I became a ghost of my best self, exhausted and burned out, and paid a big price, my marriage fell apart, and I was miserable.

Eventually that happens: our health, well-being, or relationships suffer when we disconnect from nurturing our own needs and desires, and become depleted. Like our financial safety net, energy reserves are there for real emergencies, like a sick child, or parent, not to be spent day-to-day.

That’s why the first thing we hear when boarding an airplane is to put our own oxygen mask on first. Selfish? No. We’re useless to others if we can’t breathe.

The people in your world want your best!

Your clients, partners, spouse, children, associates, and friends all want you at your best. They don’t want a cranky, burned-out version of you. When you are depleted, you can’t give your best: your best attention, focus, love, creativity, compassion, or humor. Your business and the people in your world want you to show up with all you’ve got!

Agreeing with this so far? Download your complimentary Self-Care Assessment

What does it take?

• Get more sleep. Go to bed earlier. Tape your late-night shows. You’ll feel so much better!
• Move your body. It feels so good. Find a buddy, make it fun. Movement keeps your energy flowing, improves your mood, and helps with being more productive when you are working.
• Stay hydrated. It’s hard to be productive when you are wilted!
• Eat what fuels your body and gives you more vitality. Yes, you might need to plan ahead so your blood sugar doesn’t plummet, and find yourself grabbing a donut.
• Spend time with people you love, and who make you feel good.
• Pay attention to what you listen to, read, and watch. Is it serving you, or is it junk food of the mind?
• Learn to say no. I’ve heard that no is a complete sentence. I like to be a little more gracious. “No, thank you, I can’t give the project the attention it deserves, thank you for thinking of me.” I have a friend who says, “You know, that’s really not my thing, invite someone who would be more appreciative of that concert, play, or movie.” I have other plans works fine, too. Of course there will be times when we choose to support others, even though the event might not be our first choice, just don’t make a steady diet out of being a pleaser. For every yes, there is a no to something else. Make it count.

Download your Self-care assessment here. It will give you some good feedback on how you are doing with nurturing yourself, so you can give your best, not only to yourself, but to your world.