Leading others can be draining. Not because you’re doing it wrong or you don’t have great employees but because it can carry emotional burdens like:

  • taking on the stress of others
  • navigating constant change
  • making difficult decisions

If you’re a leader and are feeling drained, we want to remind you that you’re not alone. Even the most successful leaders can become overwhelmed at times.

In an article from last summer on physicianleaders.org, they talk about this very topic, and suggest three key areas you can focus on for your recovery: Reflect, Reframe, and Restore.

We love these three suggestions and are sharing our take on each one.

No matter what line of work you’re in, we encourage you to read through these three areas, and see what could work for you.

REFLECT.
It’s always good to pause and reflect on your behavior, so that you can assess whether your actions had the effect you intended.

In your reflection, consider asking yourself questions like:

  • Did I show up in a way that was in alignment with my leadership goal? What was my intent for how I wanted to communicate?
  • If not, what was I afraid of? What got in my way?
  • If I were to show up in a way that’s in alignment with my goal, what would I do differently? How might the situation be different?

REFRAME.
Instead of just focusing on the challenges or issues, consider taking a more detailed look at the situation so that you have a more well-rounded view and can put all of the aspects into perspective.

In your reframing, consider asking yourself questions like:

  • What went well? What do I feel good about?
  • What did I learn (either from a success or a challenge)?
  • What can I do right now to improve the situation? Who do I need to follow-up with to clear the air?

RESTORE.
The research on finding ways to restore and replenish is key to your health and wellness. Today, we’re sharing our top three suggestions that our clients (and us!) have found useful over the years.

To restore, consider if one or more of these practices could be supportive for you:

  • Practice Mindful Breathing: The simple act of mindful breathing has multiple positive effects like reducing your stress, slowing your heart rate, and signaling to your brain that things are okay.
  • Schedule and Take Breaks: A great way to renew, reenergize, and refuel, is to take a combination of micro and macro breaks throughout your day.
  • Find Joy: Finding Joy is important for your emotional and physical well-being, and can also support you, your colleagues, and your team as you navigate challenging times.

Learning how to
take care of yourself is critical
so you can live with energy,
success, and satisfaction.

This week, consider how one or more of these suggestions could support you in recovering from the stresses of leadership.

Let us know what works for you!

If you’d like support
taking care of yourself,
contact us today.