The last several years have brought about a revolution in how we think about self-care, mental well-being and the need for a healthier work/life balance. We understand that taking a break from our to-do lists to rest and recharge is not selfish and it’s not a “nice to have”; it’s critical to living a happy, fulfilling life. “Meeting the demands and challenges we face in our lives can leave us feeling drained and depleted. It is critical to include yourself in the circle of all that you give to others. Simple measures wind up being the antidote that can renew and energize us;  simple measures that inspire us, that elevate our energy and wellbeing on a regular basis,” says Jane Firth,  a coach and advisor to executives. Whether it’s carving out time to hit the gym, grab a coffee with a friend who fills your cup or take a walk at lunch to get some fresh air and a mental break from your email inbox, prioritizing your own needs not only makes you happier, it also makes you a more present and effective employee, leader, partner, parent, or caregiver.

It’s high time we also embrace and normalize the idea of self-care when it comes to our careers: making the time and space to drill down into what lights you up, embracing the full spectrum of your talent and skills, uncovering blind spots that hold you back from realizing your potential and having the impact you want on the world. Just as it is hard to be a strategic thinker at work when you’re in the middle of putting out fires, it’s hard to explore, understand and unleash your full impact when you are head down, running from meeting to meeting and drowning in deadlines.

Self-care is a deliberate and conscious practice of taking time to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, about recognizing your own needs and actively working to meet them. When it comes to your career this means making time and space to invest in resources that can help you not just perform but actually think about where you want to go, who you want to continue becoming and what you need to get there. When Shaara Roman signed up for Athena’s board readiness course, she wanted to hone the skills that would advance her journey to a corporate board role, but the experience had an unexpected benefit. “The content was great, but honestly I did not realize how much I would appreciate carving out time for myself. Those two or three hours every week became a place for me to invest in my learning and growth and make time to connect with other women who are on the same path.  I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I made the time for it. And, I really miss it. “

The benefits of investing the time and money to create a life – and career – by design also end up looking a lot like the benefits of self-care more broadly. Taking time for yourself can lower stress levels, boost your mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance your overall emotional well-being. The same applies to learning a new skill, working with a coach to kick imposter syndrome to the curb, and expanding your circle of colleagues who connect you with new opportunities or offer just-in-time advice.

As with more traditional notions of self-care, when it comes to prioritizing yourself in the context of your career, the ripple effects benefit those around you. When you are more fulfilled and less stressed, you are better able to focus, can be more effective and efficient at the tasks in front of you, and are better equipped to tackle complex problems. Engaging in self-care helps build resilience, allowing you to better cope with life’s challenges and setbacks… and when you take care of yourself, you are better equipped to care for others. Self-care can also improve your relationships by reducing irritability, increasing feelings of fulfillment, and enhancing your ability to empathize and connect with others. “Taking time to invest in your professional growth is a powerful form of self-care,” says Jocelyn King, an executive coach, Certified Success Trainer™ and Certified Neurosculptor,® “it is essential to long-term career success and personal productivity. Just as we must make time for sleep, nutrition, exercise, and downtime, we need to invest time in identifying and creating the kind of career that brings us joy and fulfillment. When we do not make this kind of space for ourselves it can lead to stress, burnout, and resentment, where our get-out-my-way-fight-or-flight limbic system takes over making shoot-from-the-hip decisions which can lead to burning bridges and relationships along the way.”

Here are just a few ways you can invest in professional self-care:

• Rediscover the joy of learning or knowledge acquisition for its own sake. Take time to listen to a webinar podcast or a talk with a professional you admire on a topic you’ve been wanting to learn more about. If you’re an Athena member, schedule an hour a week to attend a live Salon or search the library for a topic or session you have missed but would love to know more about.
• Take time to get to know yourself better, what lights you up and what might be holding you back.  Connect with a coach or advisor who can help you work through a thorny problem, boost your confidence by uncovering more of your hidden talents,  or help you map out a plan for the next chapter that aligns with your passions.
• Go back to school. Invest in a class that will give you more tools to build the life and career you want. Are you a great mentor at work? Consider an intro coaching program. Intimidated by the coming AI revolution? Take a class to help better equip you with the baseline knowledge you need to navigate our digital future. Athena offers great programs including our Modern Board Readiness and Unleash Your Impact. Coming soon: Financial Acumen, Legal Acumen and a course on architecting your second (or third or fourth) act.

January is a perfect time to consider the life and career you want to create. Take the opportunity to identify what kind of support might help you get there and take action toward exploring making space for those things that will get you closer to that new reality. You’ll be investing in a stronger, happier, more fulfilled and resilient you.

Erin Essenmacher - Chief Experience & Strategy Officer

Erin Essenmacher is the Chief Experience and Strategy Officer of Athena Alliance, where she leads Athena Academy’s Board Readiness course. As a former President and Chief Strategy Officer for the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), she led the organization's renaissance as a thought leader on emerging issues ranging from cyber, digital transformation and competitive disruption to geopolitical disruption, ESG, diversity, and culture.