Leading yourself can often feel overwhelming.  Let’s face it, we are human and we are the hardest people to lead.  With all the various roles we fulfill, such as parent, spouse, leader, and whatever other role, it gets challenging to say the least. With so much on your plate, taking care of yourself and leading yourself well is important. After all, if you’re not at your best, how can you expect your leadership to be at its best? Here are five habits I hope will help you strengthen your self-leadership.

Start Your Day with Intention

Instead of jumping out of bed and immediately diving into work, take some time to set your intentions for the day. I find purposely creating quiet time in the morning to journal, read, and think helps me get my mind focused and grounded for the day. This can also be a time when you prioritize what needs your best energy that day to keep you focused.

Prioritize Self-care

Neglecting your well-being is easy when you’re laser-focused on what your professional leadership calls you to. But taking care of yourself is crucial to your success as a leader. Whether getting enough sleep, exercising, or simply taking a few moments to relax, prioritize self-care in your daily routine. You can lead with a clear and focused mind when you feel your best.

Practice Gratitude

This is a practice I am continually growing in. Leading comes with its fair share of challenges and setbacks, but it’s important to remain grateful for the opportunities and successes that come your way. Take a few moments each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Whether it’s the support of your team, the loyalty of your customers, or the opportunity to pursue your passion, practicing gratitude will help you maintain a positive mindset and lead with a grateful heart.

Stay Organized

Part of my desk is controlled chaos because I choose not to organize it often.  I think it isn’t going to help me, but the reality is when I organize this space my mind is clearer.

As a leader, you likely have a lot on your plate. Staying organized is key to managing your time and responsibilities effectively. Some resources that help me to stay organized are files, my Google calendar, my task list on my phone, and reminder alarms. These are just a few tools that help me stay organized amidst all the spinning plates. When I feel overwhelmed, I pull out a sheet of paper and write down all I’m working on and what I must do.  This quick exercise decreases stress and increases my organizational effectiveness. Whether using a planner, utilizing project management tools, or simply setting daily to-do lists, staying organized will help you stay on top of your tasks and lead efficiently.

Reflect, Learn, and Adjust

At the end of each day, I try to take a few moments to reflect on my day. Depending on your personality you may naturally gravitate toward asking “what did I do?” or “who did I impact?”  Regardless of personality both are great questions to reflect on, learn what went well or poorly and adjust accordingly.

Regardless of your personality style, take a few moments to reflect on your accomplishments and areas for improvement. Did you meet your goals for the day? What challenges did you face? What can you do differently tomorrow? Reflecting on your daily performance will help you correct your course and continually improve as a leader.

Leading yourself well is a crucial aspect of leading successfully. Which of these habits do you need to start incorporating into your routine? Do you need some accountability in this area or want a tool to help you specifically with prioritizing your time?  If you are an entrepreneur, check out this FREE E-Book to help you think into your leadership. If you need more resources to help you prioritize effectively, check out Prioritizing for Success. (Use coupon code BLOG to get 75% off for a limited time) Make one change this week to help you lead yourself and others more effectively.  Lead Well!

© 2024 Wheeler Coaching, All Rights Reserved