Obviously, no one wants to fall out sick from stress and overwork. But sadly it happens all the time. In an early blog post 3 Shocking Facts about How Illness Blocks Success, I shared some pretty shocking facts about how chronic illnesses are making talented professionals step away from their companies and leadership positions.
This comes with significant costs to their business teams and personal lives. Now, I’d like to share some ideas on how to fit self-care into your business success plan and tight schedule.
Get Inspired to Make Self-Care a Priority
My greatest inspiration to do better for my future self while I was on my own personal routine of “work, sleep, maybe gym, repeat” was the book, Thrive by Ariana Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and Thrive Global.
Ms. Huffington’s book was eye-opening for me because it showed me that I wasn’t the only one failing to take care of myself. Additionally, it highlighted that I was on an unsustainable path.
What changed my life (for the better) were two powerful themes – our modern business culture normalizes overwork and focusing on well-being is required for business success plans.
Too busy to read? Me too that’s why I listen to the audiobook during my travels. Ms. Huffington spells out how her lack of self-care - not sleeping enough and not taking time away from her growing media company - led to a scary health issue & eye-opening wake-up call.
She also gave some sobering but inspiring stories of real executives and entrepreneurs' experiences. Said experiences led to stress-related illness in the successful jobs and businesses they sacrificed much of their lives to obtain.
What Do You Need to Do Better for Your Well-Being?
There are so many things that can get in your way and prevent you from reaching your business goals. The worst one, in my opinion, is poor health. When your health stops you, it’s a failure that feels very personal.
Whether you could have prevented it or not, it’s frustrating to be involuntarily sidelined from the action in your business and personal life.
Self-care may seem like another item on your to-do list, but it is so much more than that. It's about honoring your whole self.
You're not just a brain that can use a smartphone & crush your competition. You're a vibrant soul with a wonderful body and a beautiful mind.
Each facet of you deserves to be nurtured and strengthened. It only makes you more awesome and further aligns you with your goals.