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        How are you investing in yourself?

I am struggling to find inspiration this week. There were moments of sadness, stress, and frustration. I was able to keep it together, but it got me thinking of ways I could rebound and invest in myself. I have been a lot better this year about acknowledging the positive aspects of life and work. We talked a lot about celebrating our wins daily. I try to create these posts to allow people to think about moments in their lives and maybe a moment for them to reflect. My hope is anyone reading my blog will benefit from the topics I share. I am not trying to be wishy-washy or warm and fuzzy. I’m simply sharing my thoughts and maybe help someone along the way.

When we are unable to fix or find answers to a situation, how do we rebound mentally? One of the biggest frustrations as a leader is the inability to solve a situation in the moment. Decisions are never immediate. When we make rushed decisions, we tend to make mistakes. Good decision making is a thoughtful process, but it is very aggravating when people want an answer to something, and we have no ability to aid our people. We must first, catch ourselves and be sure our response is appropriate. If we are frustrated, we cannot show it. A good option at times is to ask the individual what they are seeking or what resolution they would expect. To keep ourselves centered, we must understand the situation fully. The best thing to do for yourself in these situations is to hold yourself accountable to a high expectation and not let the situation affect us personally. In addition, remember this moment should not define our attitudes and we must remember the big picture. Invest in yourself by keeping things in perspective. Never allow frustration to take hold of you.

What are the reasons you took the path you chose? There is some joyful reason you took the path you are on right now. Find that joy and bring it back into focus if you lost it. In previous posts we have discussed finding your joy, or your why; whatever you want to call it, just find it. When we lose our direction, we also lose our footing and stubble. Find the reasons you took the path you’re on and make sure you are focusing on creating moments and growth in that area. This is in my opinion the greatest investment you can give yourself. We must take part in the things we find most rewarding and what brings us happiness. Best practice is to schedule daily steps in these areas. By scheduling your day with moments of joy, you make it a habit of doing what matters to you most.

Investing in yourself is also a physical and mental process. Exercise is key when you need to recharge and stay healthy. There are many studies out there that share what exercise does for the physical and your mental state. Maybe meditation or reading something uplifting. I find myself reaching for positive books, podcasts, and faith-based materials. These things are so valuable for us, and they keep us centered, not to mention very helpful when we have a bad day. By ingesting positive messages, we have made a great investment into our social-emotional state as well as our intellect. What we take in we put out to others.

How do you reduce frustration?

What are the reasons you chose the path you are on?

How are you investing in yourself mentally and physically?

How will your self-investments help others?

We all have bad weeks or moments we are struggling. With these experiences, investing in ourselves is important and relieves our stress. We cannot depend on others to invest in us, we must invest in ourselves because it keeps us focused and one target. Thanks for checking in on this week’s post. I hope you take the time this week and explore self-investment options and take care of you!

Steven C. Bucks- Leading Conversations