Self-care is one of the most important aspects of my life and business. I take this part of personal and professional development very seriously. It’s not just important for me mentally, but it is important to my business. Self-care has a direct impact on both.
Some people believe that self-care is a self-indulgent or selfish practice. That is far from the truth. Self-care is necessary to keep you functioning at peak performance both physically and mentally. A good self-care practice can help you prevent illness and maintain your optimum overall health.
If you are in the habit of putting your needs last or have a hectic schedule, you may have to work more intentionally to adopt this needed practice into your life. Trust me, as a real estate agent, I understand how hard it is to set aside time for myself. My dedicated self-care time may be different than yours and that is fine as long as I am fitting it into my day somewhere.
Although a massage may be part of your practice, self-care goes beyond massages and pedicures. Practical activities like being intentional about drinking enough water, annual check-ups, or watching a favorite sitcom can be facets of your self-care ritual.
I like what my coach, Stacey O’Byrne with Pivot Point Advantage, says, “The personal drives the professional so the professional can serve the personal.” What this means, in a nutshell, is the more I improve myself, the more I can serve and be of maximum value to my clients and referral partners. The benefits are worth the effort to make time to care for yourself.
You may have items you do as a weekly ritual like meal planning and workouts. Or, you can create a list of things to do that bring you joy when you find yourself with a few spare moments. Here is a great article from BetterUp that can be used as an idea jogger when you start putting together your plan. You will find ideas you can add to your day whether you have only a minute or a whole day to spend on yourself.
Adopting this practice may not solve all your problems, but they may be easier to manage. I think creating some recurring self-care habits is something everyone should consider.
The whole point is to have an amazing life and make a contribution. I cannot do this if I am in survival mode worrying about where my next dollar is going to come from. If you find yourself in the burn-out cycle, you may also want to read this recent blog post where I address finding serenity in busy times. Professional and personal development allows me to expand and grow in value, therefore having the potential to earn more. Now go take a hot bath or enjoy time laughing with your friends. Self-care can be habit-forming, and that is a good thing! If your self-care involves finding a new space, I am ready to help you find the right place. Contact me, Stephen Burchard, The Desert Bowtie Realtor, taking the (k)nots out of real estate.
