In the whirlwind of responsibility and deadlines, leaders often neglect a crucial ingredient for success: their own well-being.
Yet, living in peace and balance is not only an important ingredient to leadership success, but also to a person’s happiness and sense of fulfilment in life.
So, let’s review what it means to “live in peace and balance,” why it’s important, and 5 ways you can live in peace and balance as a leader (even during the whirlwinds).
What Are Self-Care and Well-Being
Well-being is taking care of your mind, body, and spirit for resilience and clarity. It is the art and skill of finding balance between your various life roles.
Self-care is the intentional practices that fuel that well-being, such as mindfulness, exercise, reading, setting boundaries, and making time for relationships outside of work. As you practice self-care, you create life balance and tend to your well-being.
Why It's So Important
When leaders fail to find balance, they burn out, lose mental clarity, and disengage. Their communication is strained and tense, and morale suffers under a depleted leader.
When leaders learn to find balance, however, they can operate at peak performance, realize a sense of fulfillment both at work and at home, and engage more fully with their people and in all of their life roles. They become a beacon of calm, composure, and resilience.
How To Live In Peace and Balance
So, can you find this equilibrium that eludes so many others? Absolutely! Here’s how:
- Embrace Self-Care: This isn’t selfish indulgence; it’s strategic investment. Prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s a morning meditation, runs in the park, or an evening with loved ones, carve out (prioritize) non-negotiable time for self-renewal.
- Prioritize Relationships: Leaders are not islands. We all have a need for human connection. Shared moments. Laughter. Someone to cry with. Our lives bloom in the varied relationships of family, friends, and partners. Like self-care, prioritize and nurture these connections. You’ll perform better in all parts of your life.
- Set Boundaries: Leaders often feel duty-bound to be constantly available. But a blurred line between work and personal life leads to resentment and exhaustion. Learn to say no gracefully, and delegate effectively. Learn to disconnect from technology. Learn to take a break, and learn to guard your time for self-care and relationships.
- Remember Gratitude: When we constantly chase the next achievement, we neglect to appreciate the journey. Make it a habit to reflect on the good in your life, both big and small. A grateful heart fosters inner peace and fuels the motivation to keep striving for excellence.
- Pre-Week Plan: And, how do you habitually perform the above tasks? The easiest way is through pre-week planning. Take a few moments at the start of the week to identify “key priorities” for your self-care, relationships, and other life roles. Schedule your priorities first, and then prioritize your schedule. This is a wonderful time to reflect and be grateful as well. This is the most impactful skill towards finding peace and balance in life.
Wrapping Up
So, practice self-care, prioritize relationships, and do that by pre-week planning. Set boundaries for those priorities, and remember to be grateful. You’ll find fulfillment, peak performance, happiness, and clarity as you create peace and balance in your life. That’s becoming your best, as a person and leader!
“You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” – Zig Ziglar
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