“Please fit your own mask before you help others.” We all know this line from airline safety videos, and we all understand it – if you’re running out of oxygen, you won’t have the strength to help the people around you.
It’s an extreme example, but the principle can serve you well in business. We are all better leaders if we’re in a good place physically and mentally, than if we’re tired or approaching burn-out. Exercising self-care, in whatever form that takes, really pays dividends.
What that care looks like is different for everyone. I’m a big fan of making the time to do things outside of work that bring me joy – I sing in a pop choir, for example, and we rehearse weekly andd perform regularly together. It’s a fantastic way to get out of work mode, and because it takes both mental and physical energy, it’s a great mindfulness exercise – you literally can’t think about anything other than what you’re doing in the moment.
Immerse yourself in something new
Immersing ourselves in new or varied activities and experiences promotes neuroplasticity – the ability of our brain to change and adapt. This means our brains make new connections between concepts and ideas, and we see patterns, creating ideas. It makes us more creative, which leads to innovation. That’s not just good for wellbeing, it’s good for business.
Engaging in creative activities has been shown to reduce anxiety. Some people find meditation really helpful, others might go for a run, or a walk in nature. My go to is a long walk while listening to a podcast. Regular breaks also help us relax, and research shows that when we’re relaxed, our brains can make space for us to think differently. Problems are rarely solved when you’re sitting in front of a computer, and most of the time we have our best ideas when we’re doing something completely away from work.
Take regular breaks from work, to benefit business
If we’re not careful, it’s easy for our working lives to be damaging to our wellbeing. Too often, we find ourselves on back-to-back video calls, grabbing 10 minutes to eat lunch, and being glued to a desk or screen. It’s a creativity killer, and a real drain on our mental health.
It’s important to recognise that, and try to recognise the signs of when you’re run down and need a break. A few years ago, I could tell I was getting close to burn out. I took myself off for a much-needed holiday, with a pile of books and no access to my mobile phone. It was a challenge to completely switch off from work (I had to lock my mobile in a safe to stop myself checking it!) but the result was brilliant.
Not only did I come back feeling like a different person, but I realised my team had actually benefitted from me being properly away and out of contact. They’d made good decisions, pitched and won new business, and got on with what needed to be done without needing me. I trusted them completely, and having done that once it made it much easier to step back when I needed to (and ultimately step into the Chair role a few years later, which I wrote about in my article ‘Knowing When to Step Back’).
Make yourself a promise for 2025
So make a new year resolution in 2025: take more holiday, not less. Learn a new skill. Get out of the office regularly, and make space for your brain to get creative.
It’ll make you feel great, and it could be the making of your business.
