Over the past several months I have been working on putting myself first, instead of dropping everything and tending to everyone else’s needs and I wanted to share how you too can put yourself first so you can get more done.
Okay, so how many of you can relate to this? You sit down for your weekly planning or monthly business strategy session and you list out all your big ideas, must-dos, and recurring tasks. Then, you plug them into your calendar according to priority and deadline, and come to a sad realization…
You don’t have any time left for you.
If you’re like a lot of my clients, you probably sit with this disappointment for a moment, then you pull yourself up by the bootstraps and get to work. After all, you have a lot of stuff to do! You’re a boss, and this is what #bosslife is all about, right?
Not so fast. It doesn’t have to be this way, and in fact, I strongly believe it shouldn’t be this way. You need to put yourself first.
Let’s go over the top three reasons why I feel every business owner should start putting themselves back on their to-do lists.
You Get Better Results
I’m sure you’ve had the experience of rushing too quickly through a long list of tasks in order to meet a deadline. What ends up happening? You make mistakes, you neglect other things that need to get done, and you might even end up dropping the ball completely.
Look, I wholeheartedly believe that done is better than perfect… in most cases. I believe that getting started is important, and overthinking can easily lead to inaction. I love people who just dive into something and figure it out as they go! However, rushing through things just to knock them off your to-do list? That’s a different story.
If you have a good idea for your business, it deserves your time and attention. People don’t just stumble into success in business. It takes calculated effort, and that means dedicating actual time and energy to the project or goal. If now isn’t the right time, honor that. Come back to your idea when you have room in your calendar to actually do it well. Often, in business, you don’t get a second chance to do things right, so, do it right the first time!
You (And Everyone Else) Will Feel Better About It
Overloading your agenda is a surefire recipe for stress, and we all know how terrible being stressed feels. It’s not good for your peace of mind, your health, or your relationships.
Speaking of relationships, think about what happens to your team dynamic and company culture when the person at the top feels stressed. I’ll venture to guess it isn’t good. Too much stress in the workplace can cause people to feel like the office isn’t a safe space to be, and they may even start looking for another opportunity.
On the other hand, when you put yourself first and give yourself a little bit of space, practice proper self-care, and set reasonable deadlines for your projects, it creates an environment that is not only more positive but also more innovative and collaborative. Name one boss who wouldn’t want that for themselves and their team!
You’ll Be More Creative
When’s the last time an INCREDIBLE idea came to you while you were drowning in tasks? I’m going to guess that’s probably never happened to you, and that’s because we’re not able to be creative when we’re overburdened with problems that need to be solved and the minutiae of everyday life.
Recent scientific studies have proven that creative breakthroughs commonly happen while daydreaming because these moments create a “mental incubation period” that leads to better long-term planning and self-awareness. I said it before, but I’ll say it again (so it will sink in): put yourself first! Carve out some quiet time for creative thinking! Schedule yourself a nice long walk, a relaxing bath, or a long car ride through the country.
Just remember, you have to step up before you can step out. My Strategy + Planning (VIP Day) sessions are PERFECT for getting clear on where you want to be in life and business in 2020. I am offering four sessions per month at a reduced rate for the remainder of the year, so if you want to get dive deep into your business strategy AND save some money, click here to get started!