Change Your Life In 2018 - August Challenge: Take Care Of Yourself

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Self care.....it sounds like something you'd like to do "someday" for yourself.  Someday, when the kids are grown.....someday, when you're not working so many hours.....someday, when you get to quit one of your 3 jobs.....

Sound familiar?  I'm here to tell you, that someday will never ever come unless you decide to make it happen.

You know how on an airplane they instruct you that in the event of an emergency, to first put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others?  Do you know why they say that?

Because if you don't take care of yourself first, you won't be able to take care of those around you.

If you’re just joining in, the “Change Your Life In 2018” series is my quest to make some small changes this year.  Rather than setting easily forgotten resolutions I wanted to focus on 12 changes that would help me learn and grow as a person.  I’ve chosen to focus on one change per month so that it could not only become a more manageable goal, but I have a better chance at making these new habits as well.  I hope you’ll join me in the challenge!

It's so true!  I have learned this lesson.....  Oh my have I learned this lesson this year.  Thankfully, before anything serious happened.  The truth is, I was absolutely NOT taking care of myself at all and I truly couldn't see any way to do so.  A position I would assume many of you are in.  But looking back now, you have to do it - you have to figure out how to make it work.

When I originally made this list of challenges, back in January, I was living on the edge of a lot of things: high-stress, high blood pressure, little to no exercise, hardly any sleep, and working non-stop.  And I was paying for it dearly in my health.  I wonder what I would've written for this challenge if I was still living in that world? I'm really not sure.  I am incredibly grateful that I made dramatic changes to my life and with that, made the time for self-care.  Without guilt.  I no longer have anyone demanding 12+ hour days or that I be available via email and phone 24/7.  I now wake up early to go running, I get a good amount of sleep almost every night, and we are making ourselves take time off.

Focusing time and attention to self-care is sometimes grossly misclassified as selfish.  

It's not selfish to take care of yourself first, rather, it's essential.  In order to be an effective leader, you must have the discipline to take care of you.  Without guilt.  For a number of reasons.

• If you don't take care of yourself first, it results in a whole lot of stress.  (can I get an amen????)  And stress will eat you alive.  You will burn out.
• As a leader, you set the example. Your children, employees, etc. are watching you.  And learning from you.  You know as well as I do that the old "do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't work.
• You will actually perform better if you've taken care of you.  Everyone performs better on more sleep, regular exercise, eating healthier, and definitely, with less stress.

So make the "someday" today and try to find some time in your day to care for you.

What about you?  Do you make the time to care for yourself?

Next month’s topic is: Become The CEO Of Your Life

Find the introduction to the series here: 12 Things You Can Do To Change Your Life In 2018

Find January's challenge here:  Letting Go Of Regrets

Find February's challenge here: Figure Out What To Do With Your Life

Find March's challenge here: Setting Goals & Chunking Them Down
Find April's challenge here: Change Your Routine
Find May's challenge here: Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Find June's Challenge here: Simplify Your Life & Find Your "Why"
Find July's Challenge here: Your Thoughts Are Your Reality