How to prioritize yourself and your well-being to grow your career
The work wasn’t working.
Something was off.
I had been up early and followed my morning routine to perfection: lemon water, meditation, and journaling with a fresh cup of coffee. And yet, I felt blocked from finding flow, from getting into the work, from moving past thinking and into doing.
And there was the answer right in front of me: moving. I realized I had failed to check the first box on my list of priorities: my health and well-being.
When I hear a client say they can’t find time, or they can’t make a commitment, (to themselves), it isn’t a result of a lack of willingness, it is simply that they have chosen something else. When you can’t make the birthday party, the baby shower, the family reunion, it isn’t because you can’t, it’s because you’ve chosen not to. No judgment. It could be that choosing to go is out of alignment with your priorities. Or, that it could be time to revisit and reassess what your priorities are.
Priorities that are in alignment are those that are in service of that which you want, what you most desire. That’s why priorities are unique, one of a kind; a reflection of what is most important to you. They set us up for success and allow us to know where to go next when we’re feeling stuck. When you aren’t sure what action to take next, how to get out of a rut, how to take the next step forward, check in with your first priority. Then move onto the next, and so on.
Knowing our personal and professional priorities offer an opportunity for us to be clear in who we are and to stand in authenticity.
When we show up with clear priorities, we are met with clarity from others.
People want to be around people who know what their priorities are; clarity feels good. People know where we stand, and they feel comfortable and empowered to be clear on where they stand. Like attracts like. People feel good around us, and we feel good about ourselves.
When you say ‘Yes’ to something, you are saying ’No’ to something else. And knowing what to say ‘Yes’ to starts with getting clear on and aligning with your priorities.
Having clear priorities not only supports relationships with friends, family, and peers, but can also take professional relationships to the next level. Whether you’re working with your team, your boss, or your client, being clear in communicating and staying committed to your priorities can be game changing. It allows you to show up in authenticity and articulate your vision to your team, share your ideas with your manager, and present proposals to your clients in a genuine and meaningful way. When you are clear in your priorities, you are focused on what you want and the action you need to take to get there. The result? You inspire those around you because they understand where you want to go.
But only when we can take care of ourselves first can we show up, serve, and contribute effectively. How do you prioritize yourself and your well-being to grow your business or career? You put your health and well-being at the top of the list. You make it the top priority. And while family, finances, and work can follow, success in those areas follow only after we’ve made a dedication to prioritize ourselves.
Put yourself at the top of the list.
Carve out time in the calendar and commit to it.
Stop making excuses.
Change your language.
It’s not a priority if it competes with something else. It’s not a priority if it has “should” attached to it. It’s not a priority if it is not aligned with what you want.
Wake up to your priorities, see what needs adjusting, and make them simple. Write down your top three priorities. Return to them regularly. Lean on them to ground you, to guide you, and to give life to your goals.
Kirsten Schmidtke is a professional coach, speaker, and lover of lake life. She works with leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs to help them up-level their careers, businesses, and lives. Are you ready to explore what’s possible for you? Contact Kirsten to start the conversation!
