Bandaids for Leaders

Staying balanced just makes good sense. It is really important for leaders who must be available to assist hundreds and sometimes thousands of people at any given time. Ponder for a moment with me that self-care is like a BANDAID, those noted adhesive bandages. That’s right, a BANDAID.

Such a fascinating product, the BANDAID has been around for almost 90 years and was known in the 1970s by the fancy jingle “I am stuck on BANDAID, ‘cause BANDAID’s stuck on me.” No pun intended, but isn’t that jingle still stuck in your memory banks too?

Without question, these bandages can be used as part of a daily regimen for good leaders to stay focused and renewed. When we need to re-group, we draw a line in the sand between professional and personal priorities. When we need to re-focus our efforts we take time to find healing. But, isn’t it difficult to sometimes know where and how to begin. What works?

For me, a commitment to self-care has served as a solid foundation. It has helped me remain focused on personal well-being and other goals simultaneously. More importantly, I find ways to spend time checking in with myself. One of the best ways that I’ve found to stay grounded is to have a solid self-care plan – hobbies, outdoor activities, and socializing with friends and family.

So, what works? Some helpful suggestions include —

• Balance personal and professional goals to bring focus
• Rest regularly resulting in recuperation
• Get involved in external activities to yield rejuvenation
• Socialize with friends and family on regular occasions to de-stress

Without much needed rest and relaxation we fail to honor ourselves. The result can be jarring and often detrimental damage to our physical well-being. As author Jennifer Louden says, “Convince your mind that you deserve time for self-nurturing. Make a daily ritual.” Let’s make it a habit to honor ourselves with a BANDAID here or there to make sure we stay focused.