You're juggling leadership responsibilities and self-care. How do you find the right balance?

Effective leadership requires prioritizing tasks and setting boundaries. Delegate responsibilities to trusted team members and focus on high-impact activities. Schedule regular self-care routines to recharge. Use tools to manage time efficiently and avoid burnout. Foster a supportive team environment to share the load and maintain personal well-being while achieving organizational goals.

Ugh, have you ever felt like everyone just says "make a list" or "stick to a routine" and thinks that's all there is to it? Life throws curveballs, you know? The real trick is being able to bend with the punches. It's about finding a way to manage the everyday stuff – the dishes, the deadlines – alongside the surprises. That's where you build the grit to keep going. Big goals or tiny to-dos, it all takes some wiggle room. The way you think about it all really matters!

Successful people know how to prioritize their tasks and manage their time to maximize productivity and efficiency. To manage your time effectively, start by identifying your most important tasks. These are the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your success. Prioritize these tasks and schedule them into your day first. Then, schedule less important tasks around them.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS WORK/LIFE BALANCE. That's like trying to balance the whole beach (life) against the grains of sand (work). Self-care IS leadership development. Period. My suggestion - start stacking your schedule to eliminate overwhelm: Start with YOU and your *rocks of reality* - your meatsuit - your hormone soup - your mush management - your stardust Then add Other as the *stones of expectations* - family - team ...anyone who isn't you... Only then add back in JOB and WORK *sands of time* - the daily tasks and responsibilities - the weekly overwhelm of accountability If you take care of yourself, you will have the energy to take care of others, others will help you take care of work. simple, not easy

One thing I learned is to always prioritize exercise and make it easy to do. For example: lay out your workout clothes in advance the day before.

Trust your team by assigning tasks that match their strengths and skills. Clearly communicate expectations and provide the necessary resources and support. Delegation not only lightens your load but also empowers your team and fosters their growth. Regularly check in on progress without micromanaging, allowing you to focus on strategic priorities and take time for self-care. Effective delegation helps maintain productivity and reduces stress, creating a healthier work-life balance.

We can get caught into the trap of trying to do everything ourselves. This is one of the fastest ways to burn yourself out mentally, physically and emotionally. Delegation is a form of trust so it isn't always the easiest thing to do. Making sure you entrust specific tasks to those who are able to do the job effectively is an adjustment for many in leadership roles. The thing to remember is that they are not you so they won't do things exactly how you do them. However, they will be just as effective if not more when given the opportunity. Lastly, know that at some point delegation is a necessity because it allows you to focus on your zone of Genius and better the organization by involving other skilled team members to take the reins.

Before you begin setting your boundaries, you must first decide what those boundaries are. Set aside a time to understand your physical, emotional, and mental boundaries. It doesn’t have to be a treatise. Just know what you will and will not allow in your personal and professional life. Understand that these boundaries are not carved in stone and you have every right to change as you see fit.

Clearly define your work hours and stick to them, ensuring you have dedicated time for rest and personal activities. Communicate your availability to your team, letting them know when you can be reached and when you need uninterrupted time. Avoid bringing work home, and set limits on checking emails or taking calls outside of work hours. By setting and respecting these boundaries, you can recharge and maintain your well-being, ultimately enhancing your effectiveness as a leader.

Setting boundaries as a leader is like being the DJ of your own work-life mix. It's about knowing when to fade out the work track and crank up the personal life tunes. Maybe you decide no work emails after 7 PM or you block out your lunch hour for a refreshing walk. Let your team know you're not available for the Sunday family BBQ unless there's a real five-alarm fire at work. It's okay to hit the 'do not disturb' button sometimes. By showing you value your downtime, you're giving your team permission to do the same. It's not about being less dedicated; it's about being refreshed and ready to rock when you are on the clock.

How you set boundaries is just as important as setting boundaries altogether. As with prioritization, your boundaries must be aligned with your goals, principles and values. This will allow you to re-enforce your boundaries in the workplace and outside of the office. They will be clear, concise and provide you with a much better work-life balance.

Self-Care goes beyond exercise, reading a book or heading to the spa. There is an internal component that is crucial to really resting your mind body and soul. It is also how we speak to ourselves each day. As a leader, self-care needs to be present in our thoughts and our beliefs. For example if your belief is that rest is a luxury or reward, you won't get much rest because your mind is pre-conditioned to belief that rest is a bad thing. It almost never says that. Make sure your self-care ritual includes the one thing that makes the most difference, your mind.

Self-Reflection Doesn't (and Shouldn't) Be Complicated At its core, self-reflection answers three questions: -What happened? -Why does this matter to me right now? -What am I going to learn from it so I can achieve more? Self-Reflection Requires You to Look Back to Move Forward Success comes from history--your history. And your past is a wonderful teacher. There is a tendency to "forget" the past because of past hurts or past failures. Set aside to reflect and write down these thoughts.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to consider what makes me feel uncomfortable. Noticing discomfort and being curious about it gives powerful insight. Journalling the situation and making a record of why you feel discomfort allows you to consider how best to react to different scenarios and identify what makes the biggest positive difference. This is particularly useful in relational situations and helps to focus on the issue without depleting your potential overthinking motives. Journaling coupled with regular mindfulness activities can harmonise leadership development with self care. Super powerful for personal growth, developing resilience and managing the dilemma of leadership situations.

Take time each day to assess your workload, stress levels, and overall well-being. Journaling can be a helpful tool to track your thoughts, challenges, and progress. Reflect on what’s working well and what needs adjustment, both in your leadership approach and self-care routine. Regular reflection helps you stay aligned with your goals, recognize burnout signs early, and make necessary changes to ensure a sustainable balance. This practice fosters continuous personal and professional growth, keeping you grounded and focused.

I’ve come to understand the importance of integrating self-care into my routine. For instance, I make it a priority to adjust my schedule to spend quality time with my family. This means not just being physically present, but also being mentally engaged and supportive. By embracing flexibility, I manage to meet work demands while ensuring I am there for my family, maintaining a healthier balance and more fulfilling personal life.

Finding the right balance between leadership responsibilities and self-care requires embracing flexibility in your routine. Here's how to begin: - Start by prioritizing your tasks and setting realistic goals, allowing some buffer time for unexpected challenges. - Schedule regular self-care activities, like exercise or meditation, as non-negotiable appointments in your calendar. - Be open to adjusting your plans when necessary and delegate tasks to your team to share the load. - Communicate transparently with your team about your availability, modeling the importance of work-life balance. By remaining flexible and proactive, you can maintain your well-being while effectively leading your team.

Don’t let setbacks stop you from taking the time to do what you plan to accomplish in the way of achieving your health goals. There is always something that will happen that will take time away from your progress so expect that and be flexible enough to not let it stop you.

Designing your life and work to work for you is an ever evolving process. Sometimes your work may be enthralling and other times it may be burdensome. Making sure you are able to “rest” and restore your energy might be a better goal than “balance.”

When balancing leadership responsibilities and self-care, also consider building a support network. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and friends who can offer advice, share experiences, and provide emotional support. Regularly engage in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that you enjoy. Prioritize your mental health by seeking professional help if needed. Additionally, foster a workplace culture that values self-care and work-life balance, encouraging your team to also take care of themselves. By taking a holistic approach, you can maintain your health and lead effectively.

I have learned over the years that taking care of my self is not selfish. You can’t burn yourself out and be a great leader who serves your team and your family. Take time to exercise and get your mind off of the drama that comes with your work.