The Role Self-Care Plays in Your Career | Sandi Parkey Pink Zebra Independent Consultant

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times—you cannot pour from an empty cup.

The reason you hear this saying so much is because it is true. But as women, we have a tendency to put others’ needs before our own.

Let’s change that.

I challenge you—and myself—to start making self-care a priority. Devoting time to care for your own needs can not only improve your personal life, but it can also help you run your own business and be an effective leader.

Leaders Need Self-Care, Too!

Stress affects all of us, and it seems that leaders know stress all too well. From managing conflict to making important decisions that affect not just your team but also your business, there are a number of stressful tasks that can weigh heavy on a leader’s shoulders.

When you are chronically stressed, you are at risk for burnout, a short temper and a loss of focus—just to name a few. Fortunately, by taking time for self-care, you can more effectively manage and minimize the effects of stress.

Let’s take a look at ways you can take time for self-care:

• Schedule time in your calendar for you—and make sure you don’t miss the appointment!
• Create your own rituals like meditating in the morning or taking a 15-minute walk during the afternoon.
• Live as healthy a lifestyle as possible by eating healthy, exercising regularly and prioritizing quality sleep.

It is important to note that people can look at self-care in different ways. While some people might see self-care as getting plenty of sleep at night, other people might think of self-care as a bit of pampering at a spa.

No matter how you define it, drop in some time just for you! It will improve your mood—and your self esteem—allowing you to make informed decisions as a leader.

Ready to take the leap into owning your own business? I would love to chat! You can start your very own Pink Zebra business today—contact me to learn more.