Blog Post
Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
How to Schedule in Self-Care as Part of your Daily Routine.
Darlene Hawley
As a mom, wife, business owner, volunteer we do a lot of giving to others and are pretty selfless.
But it’s so important that we are selfish sometimes and that we put our needs first. We have to take care of ourselves if we want to be able to give to all of the other areas in our life.
I’ve been looking for a local yoga studio by my house. I’ve been craving an opportunity to get quiet and focus inward.
I met Flo from @salt_essense_therapy at a networking event this past week and loved that her yoga studio was salt based.
I mean I love pink Himalayan salt and yoga so it was perfect for me, so I signed up for a class.
During the classthe instructor was sharing how we give back in so many ways to everyone else and reminding us why we have to put ourselves first, and it got me thinking.
How often do you put yourself first?
As a mom, wife, business owner, volunteer we do a lot of giving to others and are pretty selfless.
But it’s so important that we are selfish sometimes and that we put our needs first. We have to take care of ourselves if we want to be able to give to all of the other areas in our life.
Taking time for you and for self-care can help in so many areas of your life and opens up so many opportunities.
Increase your mood.
When you take care of you first, your mood increases and you feel lighter and have more pep in your step. This sets the tone for those around you and can rub off on those that matter the most to you.
Make a choice and choose you.
Make a conscious choice to choose you and schedule self-care into your week. If you don’t put yourself first it won’t happen. Get out your calendar and block out time just for you.
Make time.
Sometimes it doesn’t work out to find time for self-care in your day. I’ve had to get creative to make sure I do the things I want to do. Rather than not getting out to clear my head or get my steps in each day I’ve made the choice to involve my family. We go for a hike, walk or bike ride after dinner. You can also invite a friend or schedule a meeting as a walking date that way you can have your meeting and get moving at the same time.
Just breath.
Here’s your reminder to just breath. Slow down, and listen to your body and feel into what your body needs. It can change from day to day and hour to hour and it’s so important that you listen to what you need and adjust your day as needed to make sure you get what you need.
Slow mornings.
I love to start my day by what I call a slow morning. I come downstairs, pour a cup of coffee and sit out backor on the couch and journal for 5-10 minutes, sip my coffee and then read for 15 minutes. I purposely don’t check email or social media and just enjoy the morning before I dive into my day.
Ask for help.
If you still find that you’re not able to take time for you each day then ask a spouse, or friend for help when you need it. The more intentional you are and people are aware of your goals the easier it will be to reach.
Self-care is about keeping that promise to yourself that you’re important.
I like to keep a list of small 10-minuteself-care activities that I can do throughout the day on my desk, that way when I notice I’m not being productive or lacking in creativity then I can step away for 10 minutes and then come back to the task at hand with new energy.
- go for a walk by yourself or with your dog
- have a dance party
- spend time stretching
- step out into your yard and listen to the birds, ~smell the air and take in all that is around you.
- meditate
- pull a card and reflect on it
- journal your thoughts
- call a loved one to say hi and connect
I also like to schedule at least one big self-care activity each week, here are a few ideas for you.
- take a long bath with an amazing bath bomb or an essential oil blend.
- take an exercise class outside of the normal routine
- get a massage, adjustment, pedicure or reading
- meet up with a friend or family member for coffee or drinks
Another thing to keep in mind when planning out your week is to know what you don’t want to do.
Make a list of things you won’t do as well. Like I won’t check my phone before 9 am, or I won’t check my email till after I’ve completed my 3 big tasks each morning off my list.
This sets the intention for the day and helps you feel more accomplished and allows less opportunity for distractions or procrastinating which creates less stress and a life of ease.
How do you like to make sure you schedule in self-care to your daily routine?
Core Messaging that Builds a Magnetic Brand and Business
October 21st, @ 10:30 am PST
During this Masterclass, I’m teaching you how to create brand messaging that resonates with your ideal clients and helps you share content that has your audience leaning in and wanting more.
You'll learn:
* What brand messaging is and how to use it to grow your brand and business.
* How to share the benefits of the work you do in your marketing.
* Determine the best way to share your message to increase engagement.
I offer 1:1 Executive Leadership & Business Coaching & Team Trainings! If you would like to explore what working together would look like, I invite you to submit an application.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
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