It’s the middle of February. The days are getting a bit longer, but not long enough. Unfortunately, it’s too early for spring fever. It’s at this time of year, we try even harder to maintain healthy habits and relationships to stay productive and keep from finding ourselves in a slump.
As we think about our self-care, let’s flip the script and make the workplace the first place you think about taking care of you. Rather than self-care being something that happens outside of work in the evenings and on the weekends, self-care can become a natural part of your workday.
There’s always more that can be done and, even if you’re the CEO, work brings pressure and demands. I’m here to help you remember that YOU COUNT and sometimes you need to put yourself first.
Setting boundaries at the office will help you avoid doing your colleague’s work. Even if you have to practice saying the word “no” out loud, then practice and apply the skill at work. Do not worry about whether you’re being nice or not. You do not have to be a friend to everyone.
If you say “yes” to everything, the workload adds more stress. This slippery slope could cause you to take work home at night. For example, one client is so susceptible to not setting boundaries and taking work home, which then cuts into time with her daughter at home. Her solution is to have a photo of her daughter right by her computer as a constant reminder.
There’s a clear line between wanting to be valuable and having positive work relationships vs. allowing others to take advantage of your good nature. Think about where the line is and set parameters for yourself and your relationships with co-workers.
Always remember your own priorities. If you allow others to derail you with their issues, you will allow someone else’s negative perspective to throw off your own game. Even worse, if you allow other people’s priorities to take over, you will relinquish your own work goals and priorities.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
– Anne Lamott
As with so many issues and opportunities in life, you need to be your own advocate in the workplace. If you need to put a post-it on your computer, do it. Always be asking yourself what you want and need in the workplace.
As an example, conferences, continuing education and leadership training are vital to your growth and advancement on the job. You don’t get to go, if you don’t ask. Even if there have been budget cuts, ask and make the case for why you, why now. Another example, I have a client who has back issues. She has not yet asked for a better ergonomic chair, because she thinks it will “seem selfish.”
The problem with not speaking up for yourself is that you could be reducing your own productivity. The last thing you need or want is for something so simple to keep you from being a good or even a great member of the work team. There’s no skirting around this one – you have to be your own self advocate at work.
If you’re having trouble being the best you can be at work, you could be neglecting some of these basic self-care principles. Please give me a call at 513-561-4288 or connect with me via email at kay@highheeledsuccess.com, so we can empower you to achieve your goals.