September was Self-Care “Awareness” Month.
That extra word – awareness – matters.
Most CEOs/senior leaders I work with already know they should take care of themselves.
The harder part is being aware enough to recognize what they need – before exhaustion makes the decision for them.
A client recently asked me: “Even if my work is a passion and I genuinely enjoy it, how do you sustain yourself so that you don’t burn out or get tired?
How do you know where your limits are?”
It’s an important question.
💡Because passion doesn’t protect us from depletion.
You can love your work – and still be exhausted by it. So, how do you know when you need self-care?
My answer: Pause long enough to notice. ⏸️
• What is your body telling you – tension, fatigue, restlessness?
• What is your mind telling you – difficulty focusing, impatience, overwhelm?
• What are your emotions telling you – frustration, anxiety, irritability?
• What has changed in how you’re showing up with others?
Our internal state impacts how we lead others.
That’s the power of the pause.
❓ Since good self-care starts with awareness, what’s one signal you’ve learned not to ignore?