Harnessing the Power of Self-Care to Advance Your Career

One may forget to care for oneself in pursuit of one’s goals. We are all familiar with all-nighters, missing out on social events, and even failing to eat when working hard to attain desired outcomes. Even as a self-improvement speaker, I once had my fair share of doing these things. But by neglecting yourself, you’re endangering your career.??

When you forget to take care of yourself, you face the risk of burnout, which leads to decreased productivity. You will also face health-related consequences that will make you miss multiple days at work. Finally, neglecting self-care can cause you to overlook vital career opportunities. When you're overwhelmed and stressed, you may not have the mental clarity to recognise and seize opportunities for growth, networking, or skill development. These missed opportunities can hinder your long-term career prospects.

In this article, we will tackle how self-care can make you excel in your career and how it contributes to your career's advancement.

How Self-Care Can Advance Your Career

You may be wondering why caring for yourself is crucial for your career. Many people romanticise the “grind” or the “hustle,” which means losing sleep, missing out on social events, and dedicating your entire life to work. Starting on tasks early and finishing the work day late at night leaves little to no time for yourself. Many people swear by this lifestyle as their recipe for success, but I beg to disagree. If you dedicate your entire life and time to work, is it sustainable enough for you when your health dwindles in the long run?

Dedicating time to yourself can immensely help you in your career. These are the reasons why:

1. Self-care boosts productivity and creativity. Self-care isn't about being selfish but ensuring you're operating at your best. Taking breaks, practising mindfulness, and engaging in hobbies can rejuvenate your mind, leading to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
2. Self-care enhances emotional intelligence. Self-care helps you manage stress and emotions effectively. When you take time to relax and reflect, you become more self-aware, better at handling conflicts, and skilled at building positive relationships with colleagues and superiors. Emotional intelligence is often the differentiating factor in leadership roles and can significantly impact your career trajectory.
3. Self-care sets an example to others. When you prioritise self-care, you set an example for your colleagues and subordinates. You demonstrate that it's possible to succeed in your career while maintaining well-being. This not only fosters a healthier workplace culture but also positions you as a leader who values the welfare of your team, which can be advantageous for your career advancement.

Practices You Can Do for Self-Care

Self-care isn’t just about treating yourself to an expensive restaurant after work and then calling it a day. Taking care of yourself holistically requires much more than that. On the other hand, self-care doesn’t have to be so grand that you have to spend millions just to treat yourself. Taking care of yourself can be in the form of small everyday things, but you can occasionally treat yourself to nice yet expensive things.

Here are some examples of what you can do to take care of yourself even more:

1. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Avoid checking work emails or taking work-related calls during your personal time. This separation helps prevent burnout and allows you to recharge.
2. Take regular breaks. Incorporate short breaks throughout your workday to relax and clear your mind. Use techniques like deep breathing, stretching, or a quick walk to rejuvenate your energy and reduce stress.
3. Prioritise sleep. Ensure you get enough sleep each night. Poor sleep can impair decision-making and cognitive function, which are critical in finance. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
4. Set realistic goals. Set achievable professional goals and be mindful of setting an appropriate work pace. Unrealistic expectations and overworking can lead to burnout.
5. Don’t stop learning. Invest in your personal and professional development by attending conferences, workshops, or seminars featuring renowned experts or a self-improvement speaker. These events provide valuable opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills, fostering personal growth and career advancement.
6. Delegate and collaborate. Don't hesitate to delegate tasks or collaborate with team members when possible. Sharing the workload can reduce stress and free up time for self-care activities.

Remember that self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Identifying the self-care practices that work best for you and integrating them into your routine is essential — be it listening to insights from a self-improvement speaker, learning how to delegate, or taking more frequent breaks. You can even do all of the examples I listed if you can! Prioritising self-care will benefit your well-being and enhance your effectiveness and decision-making abilities as a professional and as a person.

The Mental Rockstar Program is designed to cultivate employee empowerment and enhance overall well-being within your organisation. Guided by YuJin, an award-winning mental toughness coach with experience as a former lawyer and investment banker, this program offers comprehensive and tailored seminars and speeches aimed to unlock peak performance. Reach out to Mental Rockstar today to foster a more positive workplace culture!