Self-Care is a Leadership Strategy—Set Yourself Up for a Successful Season

For many leaders it’s opening season. It’s time to “bring it on”. Give your all. Put everyone else first. Serve. Be a servant leader. Burn the candle at both ends. Go above and beyond. Do whatever it takes. Be seen. Don’t ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t do. Give 110 percent. By mid-season, and certainly the end of the season, the typical words we hear from managers are burned out, completely drained, exhausted, emotionally and physically spent, worn down, wiped out, running on fumes, done. Well, that’s one strategy. And one that many hospitality leaders have lived repeatedly.

What if there were a different way to approach a season? What if we ran a new script? What if self-care was as much a part of a seasonal strategy as the operational budget?

It’s time! As your coaches we would simply say that it is difficult to take care of others if we aren’t at our best. It’s challenging to energize others when our own tank is out of fuel. And it’s not easy to be present in our personal life if we are completely drained at work. The truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and your performance, decision-making, and relationships all depend on your ability to stay grounded, well-supported, and as full as possible. Most of us as leaders get it backwards—we give all our energy away and keep the last few drops (if any) for ourselves. It’s like never having enough money at the end of your month to pay yourself.

If you want to experience a different result this season, we believe it is possible and it is up to you. Prepare in advance. How could you create a season that includes personal wellbeing?

Debunk the Myth

Self-care does not mean going to the spa. Let that go. Now we can proceed.

1.Get Clear with What is Important

Get honest with yourself. If you have a perfectly articulated personal vision, mission and values statement, fantastic. If you don’t, start with what is truly most important to you and why. Write it down. If taking care of your health, or connecting with your family, or having some social time is important, write it down. Years ago, a very prominent country club leader disclosed that he begins his yearly calendar by putting his family vacation and important dates in first. He allows no changes. It’s been a difference maker in his life.

How will knowing your values and what is important to you help you to design this season? What if you put some of the most important things in your life first, and/or consistently? It could be as simple as dinner with your family or a weekly walk with a friend.

2. Get Your Needs Met

First, make sure you know what your needs are. They may fall into categories:

• Physical: rest, relaxation, movement, nourishment
• Emotional/Personal: connection, support, acknowledgment, respect
• Mental: quiet time, creative space

Once you know your needs, you can build intentional habits to get them met regularly. Create habits that automatically anchor you to being at your best.

Get your needs met first, on your own. I have a client who takes a one hour break every day for exercise. It’s a commitment. It’s been about 15 years. It helps him show up at his best. He never waivers. It’s remarkable – the power of taking charge of your physical health. Prioritize your morning routine, a midday routine, and an evening routine. It might be silence, stretching, moving, eating well. It could also be saying no to interruptions.

Ask for what you need from others. People can’t meet needs they don’t know about. Communicate with the people around you—your team, your family, your colleagues. Let them know how they can help you. Maybe it’s honoring your daily focus time, helping you to be accountable for your boundaries, or delegating a task to them. What if others want to help you be successful?

Set up boundaries. The imaginative fences that protect your commitments, your relationships and your energy. Use time-blocking to protect your time and your focus. Set up expectations around your availability on email/messaging. Make smart choices in protecting your valuable time away from work.

Create your go-to’s. The lists that can immediately get your needs met.

• Your favorite playlists, apps, books
• A dependable friend that will take your call anytime
• Quick recipes and food choices or healthy stops
• A workout buddy
• A coach or mentor to connect with regularly

3. Shift Your Perspective

For some reason, hospitality breeds a need for perfection. A need to attain the unattainable. Instead, we encourage a shift in thinking to perfectly imperfect. In other words, what if we embrace our imperfections and strive for excellence? There is a difference. Think about it. Allow your humanness this season. Maybe it’s a 7-minute workout one day. Build the non-negotiables and watch your confidence and your energy soar.

Give yourself permission to:

• Say “no” or “not now”
• Delegate without guilt
• Do things at 80 percent instead of 100 percent
• Take a breather without needing to “earn” it
• Ask for help

4. Expect the Unexpected

Although you may not feel like you have control over your days, we suggest controlling what you can control.

• Start our day intentionally
  Invest five minutes before you check your emails and jump into fight or flight mode. What does a win look like today? What will I promise myself today?

• Check in mid-day
  How am I doing with my intentions for the day? If I am off course, how can I get back on track?

• Evaluate the end, every day
  Take five minutes before you leave for the day. Celebrate wins. Yes, even the small ones. Acknowledging progress fuels momentum. Take time to recognize achievements, no matter how minor. Gratitude and celebration can be powerful antidotes to busyness and stress.

What will you promise yourself tomorrow?

Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s strategic. Success in a busy season isn’t about powering through at all costs. It’s about navigating the ups and downs with intention and care. Fill your cup first! Those around you will thank you.

As always, if you would like support, your coaches are ready to take your call.