Taking Care of Yourself and Others
When we entered this pandemic I made a promise to myself that I would not write any articles or emails about Covid-19. We are 6 months into this very strange and stressful period in history and so I decided to review my position as any leader should, and break my promise. I was delighted to be a guest on the "The Modern Manager" Podcast with Mamie Kanfer Stewart where I talked to her about business leaders taking care of themselves and others in the Covid-19 era.
You can listen to the Podcast by clicking on this link which will take you to Mamie's podcast page.
I can’t guarantee there won’t be challenges in the future but I can promise you will find listening helpful. Remote working, limited public life and human interaction, rising tensions, and mounting uncertainty, has taken its toll upon many worldwide. Only today I was reading just how badly people have been affected and let's be honest, there are few who have not been affected, either directly or indirectly, by the Pandemic. Many managers, business leaders, and their team members are experiencing non-stop excess stress, overwhelm, and are nearing burnout. This isn’t healthy or sustainable.
Mamie and I talk about how to take care of yourself and your team members during this time of immense stress and uncertainty. We get into some healthy self-care practices that are good even when there isn’t a pandemic, how to take advantage of this strange time, and more beyond. You can also Subscribe to the newsletter for "The Modern Manager" to further get further episodes, articles, and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox. You can also read the related blog article Self Care Tips For Managers And Teams During COVID-19
The Key Takeaways from our discussion are:
Because our mood heavily impacts how we see the world when under excess stress, it's easy to misinterpret actions or written communications (e.g. email or chat). Before assuming the worst, consider the facts vs your interpretation of them. Pause before responding when you feel emotionally triggered. Take a break and return to the situation with fresh eyes and a calm mind.
Give yourself and others a break. We’re all navigating the same complex, confusing and stressful situation. Beating yourself up helps no one, especially your team.
Make time in your calendar for self-care, including the time to do simple things like to prepare and eat meals, go for walks or exercise, etc. Offer to switch a video meeting to audio-only or a phone call to have a bit of a break for everyone. Maybe try a socially distanced walk to have an in-person meeting but only if it is safe to do so and proper precautions are taken in accordance with the relevant advice from the authorities.
Take vacation time even if there is nowhere to go. There are plenty of things you can do if you put your mind to it. Discover a new park within driving distance or simply take a personal day at home to relax. Encourage your team members to take breaks and time off. You can be a role model this healthy behavior for them by leading by example.
Take up a new hobby or find an activity that energizes you. Or design a project for yourself and work toward it. Create a future vision for yourself by writing a letter to yourself as if you’ve achieved that future state. It will give you something to aim towards and remain focused. Spend time investing in the skills that will help you advance your career or business. Take an online course, etc. Know that you will get through this and be stronger because of this experience, no matter how challenging it is.
If you would like to explore any aspect of your business or career, please do not hesitate to book a session with me using the link here. You never know, it might just make an enormous difference and it what I do! I already make a difference to individuals and businesses. I can help you and your business too.
