PRACTICAL STEPS TO PRIORITIZE YOU
by: Remie Longbrake | published: May 10, 2021
If one that has taught us recently, it’s that our time is not guaranteed. With Covid, lockdowns, masks mandates, stress is at an all time high. Many of us, if not all have been impacted in some capacity. As unfortunate as events have been recently there is much to be grateful for. That includes many things, such as our health, families, friends, work and colleagues. Regardless of opinions, and there are many, it’s important to stay abreast and stay positive. Taking care of yourself is a huge part of that. Not to say that we don’t have families and others to support, however, it is super important to take some time out every now and then so we can stay grounded and focused on what’s truly important.
By prioritizing both self-care and ensuring that you are giving yourself the kind of attention and concern that you’re giving everyone else is key to your success.
Follow these steps to keep in check.
Personal self-care
You may think of personal self-care as mani-pedis and facials, or perhaps the gym, but in fact, it’s much more. You’ve heard the saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Personal self-care allows you to rest, renew, and regenerate so that you are more able to be at your best.
Professional self-care
Professional self-care means coming to the realization that you don’t have to do everything yourself. You can build leverage into your business so that you are more productive while also adjusting your priorities so that you don’t have to do everything.
Decide what only YOU can do
We often believe that they have to do everything within their business in order to be successful. The fact is that there are some tasks you must pay personal attention to and others with which you can ask for help. If negotiating or sales is your strong suit, that part of your business needs you most. Other areas like research, typing or a specific service in your industry may be better aligned for you or someone else would be better suited.
Learn outsourcing and delegation
Once you’ve figured out what only you can do, you can begin to outsource or delegate other tasks to freelancers or trusted staff. It’s not something you may be able to lay on others without some directly, but don’t be afraid to speak up. It’s about letting go of some things to gain more control over others.
Collaborate with trusted colleagues
It may be tempting to give up on professional networking when you are feeling overwhelmed by client demands. However, staying in touch with your colleagues is more important than ever right now. Not only can they provide you with insight and information you need but they can be an important source of emotional support. If you’re not already affiliated with a group, make sure you do so. This could be in-person or remote, depending on your preferences.
Control your calendar
If you haven’t already, it’s time to start time-blocking so that you’re not constantly at the mercy of every phone call and text message. While time is of the essence and there are many things you can’t schedule, taking more control over items you can schedule—like content creation, meetings, and operational obligations—will give you a greater sense of normality. In addition, you’ll begin to see possible places where you can outsource tasks to save time.
Create nonnegotiable events
When your schedule feels out of control, adding back a tiny bit of control can improve your mood and reduce your stress level. Choose things that are truly important to you and your family, and make those priorities in your daily and weekly routines. Maybe it’s a nightly family dinner, a weekly date night with your significant other, or your child’s weekly soccer game. By taking control of just a few hours in your calendar, you’ll feel more in control of your time overall.
Take mini vacations
If you know that vacation is out of the question this summer, consider mini vacations instead. That could be a weekend away or even a day. Just something to get a little away time if possible. Nothing says you can’t take the kids, but if you feel that’s a stress point, try to arrange sitting in advance. Perhaps you can do some shopping, a medi-spa day, or a round on the golf course. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, the idea is a stress-free event that can take your mind off work and get some you time in.
Develop daily rituals
There are many aspects of your daily life that can be made more meaningful and more mindful. These daily rituals offer you the opportunity to calm down and reconnect to yourself. Take your time with showering, whether in morning or evening. Sit down for a cup of coffee or tea, and read a real newspaper. Don’t forget to exercise, eat enough and on time! Try not to rush through the day and get overworked. When it’s finally time to come home, make time for your kids, read and play each day. Accompany these actions with loving thoughts, affirmations, or your favorite music to make them even more soothing.
Prioritize health and wellness
The temptation is to skip the gym, eat fast food between appointments, and go a little heavier on the nightly glass of wine in order to fast forward your relaxation response. In reality, this is the time when you need to be eating healthier, working out, and taking better care of yourself. While you may not feel that you have time for optimal health and wellness, the increase in energy that you experience will make it all worthwhile and more productive.
You can also consider a food delivery service to ensure that you always have healthy options at mealtime. Check out a personal trainer or an at-home exercise service to make your workout more convenient. Spend just a few minutes each day in meditation to garner big benefits in stress reduction and mental clarity. Take care of your body and mind so that they can take care of you.
There’s so many ways to relax and rejuvenate, however many of us get too worked up and over-extended. That’s no fun! So don’t forget to have fun, take a break every so often and when you do feel sluggish, understand that’s your body telling you you’re over doing it. Don’t forget to put some time in for you and those around you will get out so much more from you, most importantly, YOU!