Are you the type of person who looks after everyone else and puts your needs at the bottom of the list? How many times have you said "Oh, I don't have time to do that for myself, I have too many other things to do?
Recently I overheard a conversation between a manager and an employee regarding a professional development event. The employee wanted to attend something which related to self care.
The manager said that the workshop needed to pertain to the job. Initially I thought "that makes sense". Then I realized that taking care of yourself relates to any and every job. If we don't take care of ourselves, who will?
One of my clients often spoke about how she always felt rushed. She agreed to make a list of all her commitments and then realized the reason she felt so overwhelmed. She worked full-time, was married and had 3 kids who were involved in various extracurricular activities.
She was quite involved with her church, was a class parent and was involved in a fundraising project for a local charity. Her parents were getting older and had some health issues which she often had to attend too.
She recognized that there weren't enough hours in the day to do everything and that she rarely had time for herself or her relationship with her husband. She began to evaluate her priorities, practiced saying "no" to requests and learned how to delegate.
She became more energized and clearer about what she wanted and recognized that it was time to start valuing herself.
If you have ever traveled by plane you have heard the spiel about putting the oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on your child. Often it is instinctive to put yourself last. Let's examine ways to put the oxygen mask on you first.
Make a list of all the commitments and responsibilities you have. Consider what you can eliminate and delegate. How much time would that free up for you? If you are having trouble with this, you might need to ask for help in order to make some changes.
The next step involves you considering yourself and what your needs are. What gives you pleasure and energy? What are the things in your life which excite you? Many of my clients have been out of sync with themselves so long time that this question initially stumps them.
What do you do for fun? How often do you incorporate fun into your life? If you are having difficulty identifying things, think about what you did as a child that you enjoyed and relished.
The last step is to take Action! Do 1 or 2 of the things that you have identified. Notice how it makes you feel both physically and emotionally. What impact is it having on your life?
Here are the guidelines for you to begin to place greater value on yourself:
Clarify - Write down a list of all things you'd like to do or want to try. Don't eliminate anything, no judgments, just write for 5 minutes.
Action - Peruse the list and choose two things that you want to take action on. Schedule yourself time to do it within the next week. Ideally do it in the next two days. Just do it!
Create supportive environments - Our intentions are often good, but we tend to slide back into the old habit of putting yourself last. What or who could support you in taking action? Tell at least two people your intentions so that they can help you move forward.
Have fun!!
Copyright 2008, Gail Solish.
Latest Time Management Articles
Time Management Techniques
By: Anantait | 07/10/2008
No matter what your specialty is at work, or your major in school, effective time management is something you can’t afford to do without. Good habits start early, so even if you’re in school, you can begin mastering the basics of scheduling and prioritizing.
Different Views on Time Management
By: kamal deep jangra | 05/10/2008
Most people think of time management as a system for organizing the day or week in order to maximize efficiency. I'd like to propose a different view of time management that is complimentary to the traditional view but has far greater implications for your quality of life.
No Time to Go After Your Dream? How to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality in Five Minutes a Day
By: Valerie Young | 30/09/2008
Here are five simple steps even the busiest person seeking a major career change can take to get the process rolling.
A Briefcase is an Essential Tool for Todays Businessperson
By: Todd Bridges | 30/09/2008
A nice briefcase is essential for the executive or successful business person. Besides being extremely convenient, a quality briefcase or portfolio speaks highly of your organizational skills and gives an immediate first impression of class.
Tools For Effective Time Management
By: Stephen Campbell | 28/09/2008
Throughout the course of history human being has sought to augment new methods to record, track and make better use of time.
Welcome to Living in America
By: Eleanor Lynar | 27/09/2008
This is an article about elevating your vision, as an American citizen.
Time Management; Getting Smart
By: Alan Orr | 22/09/2008
Getting SMART: Effective delegation by using the SMART way. Specific, measurable, agreeable, and realistic and timebound. Get more free time and less error in the work others do for you.
The Power of Procrastination
By: Michael G. Rayel | 21/09/2008
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not easy to be always in control and it’s difficult to delay brewing emotions. But at times, you have to do what’s necessary even to procrastinate just to be sane in this complex world of ours.
More from Gail Solish
3 Keys to Creating Different Perspectives
By: Gail Solish | 30/06/2008 | Communication
In business, to be successful you need to communicate well, establish what works and also be willing to change as internal and external factors evolve. This means moving from only one channel to having many different channels as options. In other words, you need to create different perspectives.
Communication Mistakes 5 Sure Fire Ways to Create Problems in Your Communications
By: Gail Solish | 03/06/2008 | Communication
Communication is the center of business and interpersonal relationships. You should get involved in conversations that create positive interactions and communication by showing your ability to engage in compelling conversations. But most importantly, always try to first understand what is being said to you before insisting on being understood.
Stress Reduction - 3 Steps to Greater Work Productivity and Less Stress
By: Gail Solish | 06/05/2008 | Stress Management
Doing everything yourself is not humanly possible. So what is the answer? A 3 step process consisting of elimination, automation and delegation may be the solution. For instance, elimination involves de-cluttering; automation is using devices and technologies available to make your life easier. And delegation is referring some of your work to someone else so you can do what you love.
Dropping the Balls vs Maintaining Balance
By: Gail Solish | 02/04/2008 | Time Management
Start balancing your act. Evaluate what you have to do and see how you can be more efficient and happy. You can begin by following some basic rules such as: de-cluttering, grouping your errands, eliminating toxicity, moving your body, and adding fun to your life. And soon you will be leading a more balanced life.
3 Habits That Sabotage Workplace Success
By: Gail Solish | 18/03/2008 | Team Building
Changing habits is hard work. It has been said that it requires 21 times of doing something in order to make it a habit. This article can help you figure out ways to turn unhelpful habits into positives.
The Toxic Colleague and/or Manager
By: Gail Solish | 13/08/2007 | Communication
Have you ever encountered someone whose toxicity contaminated your workplace? If you haven't, consider yourself fortunate. If we work in an environment which depletes us, we end up paying the price. How valuable is your piece of mind, positive relationships and life satisfaction?
3 Keys to Managing Transitions
By: Gail Solish | 11/06/2007 | Communication
We all know change is inevitable and even though we may not like it, accept that it is part of life. How we cope and manage transitions contributes to our well being and ability to progress in life.
The Art of Remarkable Leadership
By: Gail Solish | 08/05/2007 | Communication
Leadership is defined as the capacity or ability to guide others to accomplish an objective. To provide leadership, one needs to be a leader. What qualities do you believe are required by a good leader and how does one become a leader? Although some people have natural leadership skills, good leaders are made not born.
Self Improvement 
