The Power of Prioritizing YOU

For years, I bought into the relentless hustle mentality. Eat, sleep, and breathe my work. Blur the lines between your job and life. Never stop going, make sure I'm always connected and available.

I convinced myself that's what it took to reach the highest levels of success and achievement as a tech leader.

Boy, was I wrong.

It wasn't until I started implementing a few simple self-care practices into my daily routine that I realized the power of intentionally prioritizing rest and personal renewal.

Since adopting:

1. A sunlight lamp that turns on with my morning alarm for some bright light exposure...

2. 3-5 minutes of mindfulness/breathwork over breakfast...

3. A non-negotiable 30 minute gym session, either before work or over lunch...

...I've experienced a rejuvenating effect that has dramatically improved my productivity, focus and overall well-being.

I don't know why it took me so long to figure this out. The science backs up what I've experienced firsthand - our brains and bodies require regular periods of focused rest, play and disconnection in order to function at peak capacity. Pushing ourselves past that boundary eventually leads to burnout, stagnation and compromised work output.

There's a pervasive mindset, especially in hard-charging professional environments, that the path to success is paved with constant hustle. But through my observations, I've come to realize the most effective, creative and resilient people aren't the ones who just endlessly grind.

They're the ones who have developed mindful practices and habits around intentional relaxation and mental recovery. They build strenuous work punctuated by restorative breaks into their schedules. They nurture hobbies, passions and supportive relationships entirely separate from their careers.

True high achievement isn't about who can white-knuckle their way through the most, but who can cycle intensity with intentional renewal. Protect your rest and relaxation with the same vigilance as your work, and you'll likely find yourself operating at a higher level across the board.

I'm making this commitment to myself going forward. Who's with me?

✍️ What do you do in the morning to set yourself up for the day?

♻️ Reshare if this applies to you!

📞 Reach out if you need a coach who can help you become the best you can be!

#selfcare #productivity #mindfulness #worklifebalance #techleadership