Serving others well starts with you

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Last week, we discussed how tired, burnt out leaders can’t meaningfully serve those that they lead. This week, I wanted to dive into some practicalities. What can we do ensure we are healthy and at our best?

How to show up as your best for those you serve

Let’s explore some ways you can maintain your inward commitment, avoid burnout, and serve well.

Do the deep, personal work

Do you look in the metaphorical mirror as often as you look in a physical one? How often do you take a personal inventory of your feelings and emotions? Are you aware of what beliefs are connected to those feelings?

The truth is, self-awareness in all of its facets (mental, emotional, spiritual) is the first essential ingredient. You can’t address what you aren’t aware of. Set aside time to take an inventory of what is. Getting clear and sober about your current reality is a gift to yourself because it’s what’s real. No illusions. No fabrications. Just truth. You’ll be amazed at how liberating this can be.

Once you are clear on what is, you can begin to look at what could be. Who do I want to become? How do I want to show up in the world? Am I committed to becoming that person? What needs to change in me to become that person? All of those questions are powerful, and be careful to avoid shaming-out as you explore them. Life is a journey of becoming. Don’t shame yourself for not being there yet. Celebrate how far you’ve come and commit to who you are becoming.

Create energy through intentional rest

Fatigue is a dream killer. When we are tired (again, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), we are less effective leaders. Research suggests that when we are cognitively tired, we are more impulsive. This can result in us taking actions that we wouldn’t normally take if we took the time to really think about it.

If leaders want to stay in the game, they must take a holistic approach to self-care. When I say self-care, I’m not talking about binging Netflix with a glass of rosé while getting a foot massage. I’m talking about an intentional plan for rest. Some components of intentional rest might include:

• Solitude

• Journaling

• Meditation/Prayer

• Quality time with loved ones

• Hobbies

• Time in nature

Intentional rest doesn’t have to be a two-week long vacation (although take that when you can get it!). I personally have short, medium, and long rest-rhythms. Short rest might include simply getting up from my desk at work to take a walk. Medium rest for me is when I can spend a day out on the water or in nature. And longer rest might be time away with the family.

It’s less important that you follow the above formula and more important that you follow a formula. Find what works for you. Decide on some rest-rhythms and practice them consistently.

Don’t forget to look back up

The reason I paired outward focus and inward commitment together is that it articulates an important leadership balance. Doing deep personal work is critical, but if we stay there we start to develop an inward focus at the expense of those we serve.

If we allow it to, the inner work becomes the fuel we need to pick our heads back up and serve the world powerfully. Dwell too long on yourself, and pretty soon everything becomes about you. But when working on yourself adopts the purpose of service to others, you’ve tapped into a superpower.

A Question to Leave You With…

Who am I committed to becoming?

Go out and lead meaningfully friends.

Trevor

PS - If you found this valuable in any way, I have two requests. One, would you reply and let me know? I’d love to hear from you. Second, would you consider forwarding this to a friend or colleague who might also be eager to grow as a leader? I would be honored to be trusted with your people and promise to serve them as powerfully as I intend on serving you.

If you’re ready to dig in some more, here are a few ways you can grow meaningfully as a leader:

1. Have you ever considered hiring a coach? Click here to schedule a no-cost, 15-minute discovery call with me where we’ll explore how coaching might just be the greatest next step for your growth.

2. Check out the latest episode of the Beyond High Performance podcast from my fellow coaches at Novus Global.

3. Want to learn what motivates you? Check out our free 5i Assessment to find out!