Highly successful leaders understand the importance of self-care as a foundation for their effectiveness and well-being. There is a plethora of literature and articles on this topic, which often focus on aspects such as healthy eating, adequate sleep, and regular exercise, all of which are good habits to maintain. However, little focus is given to those \u201cin-office\u201d practices that positively contribute to self-care, which compound over time and can make a tremendous difference to a person\u2019s quality of life, career success and fulfilment, a leadership expert says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs year-end nears, most people are tired, and the holiday break cannot come soon enough,\u201d said Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA fresh year of work is not far behind the upcoming break, so this is the time to think about implementing in-office practices that will ensure you maintain your energy and can give your work and personal life your all in the new year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said while it is important to build those habits that support mental and physical well-being outside of work, the eight hours plus of our work day should also be harnessed to ensure optimal and ongoing well-being, to avoid burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile the specific in-office self-care habits can vary from person to person, there are some fundamental ones that successful people employ to improve both their personal well-being and their performance as leaders and managers. These are helpful tips regardless of your status \u2013 whether you are a student, employee, manager or self-employed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important habit to develop is effective time management, said Kriel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEffective time management is a critical self-care habit. Successful leaders often use time management techniques, like prioritising tasks, setting boundaries, and delegating, to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Procrastination is the main enemy of good time management practices and ultimately adds to stress levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo if you know yourself to be somewhat of a procrastinator, resolve to understand what lies beneath your tendency to put things off and deal with it as a gift to yourself in 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to ensuring one\u2019s time is used efficiently, the following habits can help one maintain agency at work and feel empowered and in control of one\u2019s life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Continual learning and professional development<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning and personal growth are vital for success. Successful leaders often engage in lifelong learning by reading, attending seminars, taking courses or seeking mentorship to stay updated and adapt to changing environments. Not being on top of developments, the latest technologies and other changing aspects in the business world may not seem like something that would impact self-care, but it does, because you are less likely to feel stuck in a rut and your skills will remain relevant in a highly competitive work environment which reduces stress and concern about job security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Regular mental and physical breaks<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking short breaks during the work day can help recharge the mind and prevent burnout. Use these periods of down-time to reflect and refocus. Not deliberately planning and executing such breaks will add to stress levels and loss of productivity, which will ultimately negatively impact self-care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Effective stress management<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all experience stress, but managing it is crucial. Stress-management techniques, such as deep breathing or journalling, help. However, many less obvious techniques will assist in effective stress management in the workplace. Creating a to-do list and prioritising tasks is number one, but then breaking down tasks into manageable chunks can reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Setting boundaries<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is essential, there is more to setting boundaries. In addition to setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, intra-business boundaries are also crucial. Learn to be assertive by respectfully communicating your needs and boundaries to reduce workplace stressers and say no when necessary to avoid over-commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Reflection and goal-setting<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regular self-reflection and personal goal-setting help us stay focused on long-term objectives and ensure we are aligned with our values and priorities. The opposite of this is being swept up by the business of each day, which quickly leads to feelings of being out of control of your life and work. Being able to measure your performance against the goals you set will not only identify gaps, which will help you focus but also create a sense of achievement when goals are met. Both these aspects will greatly support your self-care drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemember, self-care is not a one-size-fits-all,\u201d Kriel said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHigh-agency, successful people tailor their self-care routines to their unique needs and circumstances. The key is to prioritise self-care practices that enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being consistently, for they contribute to success and effectiveness at work and well-being and fulfilment outside it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Highly successful leaders understand the importance of self-care as a foundation for their effectiveness and well-being. 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