Make Yourself a Priority

Putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Think about the “oxygen mask rule” on airplanes: you’re told to secure your mask first before helping others. Why? Because you can’t take care of anyone else if you’re gasping for air. The same rule applies in everyday life. If you’re exhausted, overcommitted, or burned out, you can’t show up fully for your coworkers, friends, or family.

Life constantly pulls us in a hundred different directions. Work, family, obligations, deadlines, and unexpected crises all compete for our time and energy. In the middle of this constant motion, one of the easiest things to neglect is yourself. Yet here’s the truth: if you don’t make yourself a priority, everything else in your life suffers.

Making yourself a priority means protecting your mental, physical, and emotional health. It means setting boundaries, saying “no” to unnecessary commitments, and carving out time each day—just for you. That could be going for a walk, exercising, reading, or simply enjoying silence. These aren’t luxuries; they’re investments. You’re refilling your energy, sharpening your focus, and strengthening your resilience. Self-care is not weakness—it’s wisdom. And as a leader, you must remind your team that rest fuels results. Encourage them to do the same and give them the time to recharge.

I once spoke at a company that prided itself on “great work–life balance.” Yet employees received, on average, over 300 emails per day—and were expected to respond even on vacation. That is nuts. They had no downtime, no chance to refuel, and their families resented it, which only added more stress. When I challenged that practice in my program, a thousand employees stood up and cheered. We found a simple solution that lowered turnover and boosted both productivity and morale.

So, stop feeling guilty for taking time for yourself. Stop waiting until you “have time”—because that day will never magically arrive. Choose today. Schedule it. Protect it. Value it.

Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Fill yours first, and you’ll be amazed at how much more you have to give. And if you’re working for a company that never allows real downtime, it may be time to find another job. The only thing you truly have is yourself—don’t let your work destroy your health and your family.