During our weekly strategy session with my virtual assistant, I made an off-the-cuff comment about feeling badly about some recent business decisions I had made. Someone close to me told me that they weren’t good and wouldn’t have the results I wanted. My virtual assistant asked me why I felt bad about my choice and I realized that I was judging myself based on someone else’s opinion.
Yep, we’ve all been there. In your life and work, this could manifest as feeling guilty for taking sick or vacation days. Or, perhaps, accepting meetings outside of your preferred working hours. Or even staying late when you’re exhausted or have a family event to attend. You should be kind to yourself, no matter the situation. You don’t need to apologize for taking care of yourself or for making decisions that are right for you.
So how do we fix this? Obviously, we can’t all chat with my virtual assistant to solve the world’s problems. We all want to deliver and we all want to be successful. We’re focused on pleasing others as a way to get what we want. But at what cost? Is someone else’s opinion of your choices or decisions, or their expectation of your time, in service of your mental and emotional health?
It’s important to be flexible and accountable to others. But don’t forget to be flexible and accountable to yourself too! It can make a world of difference in how you approach your work. Whether you’re a CEO or an entrepreneur, remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of business.
Be kind to yourself: set your boundaries and stick to them. Believe it or not, that is a form of self are too. And it might mean taking a step back when needed or just some moments every day just to breathe. Being kind to yourself means understanding your own needs and boundaries—and respecting them too!
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind to ourselves, but it can have an impact on our lives in more ways than we can imagine. So take a break when you need it, give yourself a pat on the back when you’ve done something great, and stay true to the boundaries that help you be your best. You got this!