Things are constantly changing. Our careers, jobs, professions and other activities we did two years ago look very different from today. Professionally, I was traveling every other week. That ended in 2019, and I hadn't been to the airport since. For several industries, things are slowly adjusting. But with that adjustment, many employees feel the strain of being overworked, short-staffed, and pressed on time. I want to reboot an older post to remind us all to practice professional self-care. Self-care in the traditional sense is making time to rest and take care of your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Your Growth - If you are creating a performance plan, or have already done so, think about what your development needs are going forward. Can you get the development support you need from your current role? If you're unsure, make sure you are ready to have that conversation with your management team. If you can, that's great. You should have created goals and milestones and are already executing them this year. However, if you have determined that the direction you are headed isn't something you will be able to accomplish in this current role, you can adjust your plan to include finding resources that will allow you to learn new skills, get a certification, or obtain whatever development you need to grow to your next level. Keep in mind your growth is about you. So how it unfolds should be your decision. So don't neglect yourself.
Your Time - TAKE YOUR VACATION!! I'm not sure when we stopped taking a vacation, but we need to stop and re-evaluate. I know that probably looks different now, but it doesn't matter. You need it. Staycations can be amazing with a little planning. Google is so useful for stuff like this, and so is Pinterest. Take a moment to decide what you can do with your budget and rest.
Your Talent - We all need an outlet that will allow us to cultivate our gifts. Are you surrounding yourself with things and people that encourage you to develop your talent and gifts? Are you in spaces that allow you to be creative and innovative? Does your current career path limit you from thinking outside of the box? Prevents you from ideation? Or being innovative? If these are areas you are passionate about, and that passion can lend itself to your professional path, make sure you are finding opportunities that allow you to do so. If those opportunities don't exist, this could be a great time for you to go exploring. Remember when you were a kid and use finger paint to create something only you saw? When you took it to your mom, she had no clue what it was, and most of the time (lol), she celebrated you anyway? Well, nothing's changed. If you get started, you'll see it eventually. Those around you will celebrate it. Nurture your talent. It can lend itself to your next level, next opportunity, the next thing that helps you evolve. Keep in mind, exploring new opportunities doesn't mean you want to leave your job. It only means you recognize you have options.
Putting yourself first isn't a crime, and you don't have to apologize for doing so. You owe it to yourself to make sure your needs are not overlooked. Self-care is more than a good facial or a massage. It should be holistic—Mind, Body, Soul, Spaces, Career, Relationships.
You can always do more than you think, especially if you want to. If you are looking for resources to help you map your skills, plans, and goals. Visit www.haywardandlove.com or shop The Strategy Journal. Use code: WELCOME and save on your first purchase.
It's been real xoxo
~P