Self-care is thrown around a lot in organizations struggling with staff burnout or staff turnover due to burnout. It’s usually brought up or recommended before the inevitable happens and a staff member quits. It’s often used as a reaction to instead of a preventive measure or a call to organizational self-reflection.  

Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself for your wellbeing. Almost anything can be considered an act of self-care. Here are a few often used examples: taking a nap, reading a book, or going for a walk. I want to argue that self-care is deeper than simply making time to read a book. It’s more than what we call a technical change, which is a type of change to address an immediate problem. It’s an adaptive change in which you are intentionally setting aside time in your day, week, month, or year, to do something that cares for your wellbeing. Self-care is something you do that is life-giving and helps you function at your best. 

Here are the takeaways from today’s Monday Morning Joe: 

1. The health of an organization is dependent on the health of its leaders and employees. 
2. Your own wellbeing is vital to you being able to function at your best.  
3. Make time to water your lawn but do not overwater or underwater. 
4. Provide space to care for your staff without sacrificing the vision of the organization. 
5. The proof of your personal and organizational values is shown through your actions. 
6. Balance is key, young Padawan.