Leading by Example: The Power of Prioritizing Self-Care

I recently took some time off because I wasn’t feeling well. While I was laying in bed resting, rather than feeling like I could relax and recharge, I felt guilty. I knew how much work was in the hopper and I felt I was letting the team down by not being there to shoulder my portion of the load.

I wondered why I felt that way. After all, I talk so much about intentionally designing a life and career that you can love, and here I was, doubting whether it was “okay” to take a sick day.

As I mulled over why that guilt had surfaced, I thought about my role—not just as a professional, but as a leader. My job isn’t just to show up and complete tasks. My job is to lead people, empowering them to do great work, and more importantly, to live amazing lives. What kind of leader would I be if I felt I couldn’t take time off to care for myself when I needed it? What message would I be sending if I pushed through no matter what, signalling that the short-term deliverables matter more than my health? I know I wouldn’t want to work with someone like that.

Leadership happens by example, not by what you say. When I take time off to prioritize my health, I’m sending a clear message to those around me: self-care is important. I’m showing them it’s not just okay to take care of themselves—it’s necessary. And if we, as leaders, don’t model this behaviour, then we’re teaching people to sacrifice their well-being in the name of “productivity.”

The deeper realization I came to is this: taking care of yourself isn’t just about managing a day off here and there; it’s more fundamental.

Taking care of yourself is your primary responsibility in life.

I know that might sound counter-intuitive to some—especially those of us who feel driven by purpose, by the desire to make a difference in the world. But the fact is, if you don’t prioritize your own well-being, you cannot effectively contribute to anything else. You can’t lead, you can’t innovate, and you certainly can’t sustain the effort required to change your little corner of the world.

Think about it—how can you truly help others, or drive meaningful change, if you’re constantly running on empty? If your health is suffering, you can’t be at your best. And when you’re not at your best, everything else suffers—the quality of your work, your relationships, your ability to be creative or resilient in the face of challenges.

I want to emphasize something critical here: taking care of yourself is not selfish. In fact, it’s the opposite. When you take care of your own health—mental, spiritual, emotional, physical—you become a better version of yourself. You become more equipped to serve, to lead, to inspire. You have more to give to your family, your team, your community, and the world at large. By prioritizing your own well-being, you are laying the foundation for everything else you want to accomplish.

This realization isn’t about abandoning ambition or dialling back on your goals. It’s about making sure that the fuel behind those ambitions—you—is sustainable. You have a responsibility to yourself to be healthy, balanced, and energized. And only from that place can you create a lasting, meaningful impact in the world.

So the next time you feel the urge to push through a cold or flu, to ignore a feeling of burnout, or to work late into the night because of an upcoming deadline, pause. Ask yourself: “Am I taking care of my foundation here?” Because you are the foundation. If you crumble, everything else around you cracks, too.

This lesson was a powerful reminder for me. We often talk about self-care to avoid burnout or maintain balance, but it goes much deeper than that. You need to realize that taking care of yourself is not a nice-to-have; it’s the only way you can show up and do the work you’re meant to do in the world. It’s the only way you can lead, inspire, and change the lives of those around you.

And here’s the key: you already have the power to make this happen. You can take care of yourself, to prioritize your well-being. You just have to recognize that it’s okay to do so.

Remember, when you take care of yourself, you’re not just doing it for you—you’re setting an example for others. You’re showing them that their health, their balance, and their well-being matter just as much as the work they’re doing. And that, to me, is leadership in its truest form.

So, as you move forward, ask yourself: How are you taking care of your foundation? Because when you’re at your best, that’s when you can truly make a difference.

Quotation that I’ve been pondering

This is a quote I love that is attributed to Albert Einstein, but there are so many quotes incorrectly attributed to him that it’s hard to know if he truly said this or not.

But that doesn’t take away from the power of it.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I choose the latter and hope you’ll do the same. We could use more miracles in the world.

Journal prompt

“How do I take care of myself? Is there anything more I need to do to ensure I’ve got a stable foundation to operate from?”

Call to Adventure

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Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to help you craft the next chapter of your career—one that works for you.

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