Is Your Life Balance Scale a Bit Tipped??
The challenge is keeping a balance so that we can maintain excellent leadership without getting burnt out. Easier said than done, I know!
But let’s explore some key strategies I’ve found to be effective not only in my personal experience, but also what I’ve learned with all the clients I’ve served along the way.
As a leader, one of the keys to effective leadership is to build meaningful connections with others and to support your followers when they need it the most.
But guess what?
If you do not take care of yourself, you will not have the space to connect with or to care for others because you cannot give to others what you do not have for yourself. (You can check out our YouTube video where I deep dive into this topic here).
The simplest way to achieve this is to live a balanced life.
If you dedicate too much of your time to one thing, you will quickly lose the spark that makes you the great leader you are, so finding balance is key.
Our whole philosophy here at Modig is we work hard so that we can play harder! Play is critical to keeping a balanced life.
However, this can be difficult to incorporate into your busy schedule, so we wanted to share our top tips for cultivating a lifestyle that allows you to work hard, play hard, and relax as needed.
Your mental state is very closely tied to your physical state, so the simplest way to achieve a high level of both is through exercise.
Now, we are not saying that you need to purchase an expensive gym membership and block out one to two hours a day to improve your physical health — but if that is what works for you, go for it! The beauty is, exercise can easily be incorporated into your everyday life when you start to think outside of the box.
You can purchase a treadmill or bicycle that sits under your desk, allowing you to work in that exercise without having to even step away from your work. Or, if you struggle with feeling overwhelmed or stuck at work, take a quick break to walk around the block! One of my rules I adhere to is getting up and going for a walk when I’m on a call that doesn’t require me to be at my desk or computer.
If you really want to up the ante on your walk, turn it into a power walk. The beauty of power walking is that it forces both sides of your brain to work together. Not only do you get a calorie burn, it helps you process your emotions and get clear on your thought process as well. We call this cross-lateral movement and it’s nearly as effective as EMDR.
By incorporating movement into your everyday routine, you will not only be on the way to a more balanced lifestyle, but you will also boost your cognitive abilities!
Another great way to work towards a balanced lifestyle is through healthy eating habits.
I know, I know, everyone talks about this, but it’s for good reason. When you are operating at a high level, it is important to fuel and nourish your body with the proper fuel it needs. Think of it this way…you wouldn’t put regular fuel into a Porsche, would you? Then why are you doing it with your body?!!! Making healthier eating choices is linked to higher levels of happiness, cognitive abilities and productivity, so start fueling yourself like you deserve.
It is also important to nourish your mind.
Your brain processes 11 million bits of information per second. Think about that! Your brain is the best and most important asset you have. The majority of this is done subconsciously. That is why it is so important for you to feed your mind with positive, intelligent and meaningful information when you can. Why inundate it with negativity and things that aren’t building yourself up?!
Interacting with people who elevate you, reading intellectual books and articles, and being mindful of the media that you consume are all great ways for you to ensure that you are taking in information that will help you succeed.
Finally, it is important to take time for yourself.
Working 24/7 is not a sustainable way to live. It is important to work hard, but you must be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Practice self-care, buy yourself something you have always wanted, go on a vacation, or take up a new hobby!
Finding a way to celebrate your successes makes all of your work worth it, and it will help you build more authentic relationships with others.
Living a balanced lifestyle can be easier said than done. Here at Modig Leadership, we give you the support you need to maximize your potential, elevating you as a leader. Shoot us a message at hello@modigleadership.com to see how we can support you on your journey!
Brenda Lee is a Leadership Development and Team Building expert to some of the world’s most exciting entrepreneurs and professionals who have all the trappings of success but have hit a barrier they are ready to breakthrough.
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