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I love that quote from Warren Buffet that says: “The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself…The more you learn, the more you earn.” And the truth is that if you’re here, it may be because you’re currently caught up in the daily hustle and bustle while trying to make a difference for your team. But here’s a gentle reminder for you: to be the best leader, you must invest in yourself first. That way, as Mr. Buffet says, you’ll savor the many benefits of leadership.
So, if you’re wondering in which areas you need to invest or where to get started, I’d recommend to make a pause and reading until the end because, in this blog post, I’m about to show you four meaningful ways you can invest in yourself as a leader.
Why Invest In Yourself As A Leader?
Contrary to common belief, investing in yourself as a leader is not a luxury but a necessity. Have you heard the common expression: “The grass is greener on the other side?” But in leadership, the reality is that grass is greener where you water it. This means that when you dedicate time to growing as a leader in different areas, you create a ripple effect that will encourage others to do the same and eventually lead them to success. So yes, success is not only about hitting the mark and achieving every goal in your plan; it’s about thriving in your role and creating an impact as a leader.
So, if you’re ready to get started, here are four areas in which you can begin to prioritize yourself as a team leader:
We’ll explore each of these areas in more detail.
1. Seek Out Learning Opportunities: Key to Invest in Yourself.
I like to think of learning new things as cultivating your own growth path. Those seeds you plant in looking for opportunities to learn new things will eventually bloom into leadership skills. So, if you’re a first-time team leader, take time to attend workshops conferences, or dive into online courses focusing on leadership, communication, or stress management.
Another habit that you should adopt as a team leader is reading. Oprah said it best:
“You must feed your mind with reading material, thoughts, and ideas that open you to new possibilities.”
Oprah
And I get it; adding reading to your to-do list might seem like an impossible task. But here’s a pro tip for you. If you’re short on time, I highly recommend Shortform. It’s a game-changer. It’s like a magic wand for book lovers, offering concise and insightful summaries. Not only that, but you have access to an online library of knowledge. Each book has its own summary, practice guides, and exercises to help you remember everything you read.
You also have an online community of professionals to exchange ideas and thoughts with. So, make sure to take advantage of this amazing resource and explore what Shortform has to offer—you won’t be disappointed!
The last book I read using Shortform was Scrum by Jeff Sutherland, an excellent book for helping you organize and lead projects. If you’d like to dive deeper into how I use Shortform and how to utilize it, you can watch my video here.
2. Prioritize Your Mental Health.
Think about it this way: Your brain is a muscle, and you need to exercise it constantly so it keeps working. A great way to do this is through prioritizing your mental health.
Here are a couple of ideas on how you can take care of your mental health:
- Practice mindfulness. You can start with meditation, a few deep breathing exercises, or even mindful walks that can help you decompress from the day. Before starting the work day, one of my favorite things is allowing myself to have this break to help me focus better and approach things from a new perspective.
- Journaling. I like to think of journaling as decluttering the mind. It’s all about writing our thoughts into paper so we can have a new angle on things. Try journaling at least once a week to get started, and you’ll notice impressive benefits to your well-being.
- Limit screen time: Unplugging from all the noise from the world is great for prioritizing your mental health and investing in yourself as a leader. I know it’s tricky because we have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), but like I always say, start small. Just 30 minutes before bedtime, as time goes by, increase that amount by 15 minutes. Sooner than you realize, you’ll find yourself disconnected from the virtual world and focusing more on what’s in front of you.
Remember that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint, so give yourself some grace as you navigate through this change. And most importantly, don’t feel like you need to learn to handle it on your own. If you’re ready to have a mentor and coach walk you through the ins and outs of team management, check out the New Manager Accelerator Program, my trusted and proven method to excel as a new team leader.
3. Take Care of Yourself Physically.
Physical health is as important as mental health. So, another investment you should make to become a more effective leader is taking care of yourself physically. Not only will you have more energy for the day, but you will also have fresh thoughts to do your work best.
A few tricks I like to use when taking care of my health are:
- Getting enough sleep: 7 hours and no less!
- Eating balanced meals: Of course, there will always be time for treats, but try adding greens, proteins, and fiber to your meals to feel more nurtured and full of energy.
- Do some exercise: Did you know that working out can have a massive impact on your work, including focusing more on your tasks, embracing a positive attitude, and boosting your creativity? Whether it’s a morning workout, a lunchtime walk, or an evening yoga session, finding an exercise that suits your needs can impact your overall workday as a leader.
- Take breaks throughout the day: I love this productivity hack because we usually think we need to stay glued to the desk to make some progress. But the reality is that when you make small breaks, you become more productive because you’re getting a fresh perspective on things or tasks. So, next time you feel overwhelmed, take 10 minutes and walk away from your desk. Get a cup of coffee, chat with a colleague, or grab a snack. When you return to work, you’ll feel motivated and have fresher ideas to tackle any challenge.
Which one of these well-being habits is your favorite? Comment below!
4. Learn to Disconnect.
Protecting your space is key to investing in yourself as a team leader. It’s not just about self-care and well-being but also about saying no when needed. By this, I mean setting boundaries and prioritizing rest and personal time. Especially when you have too much on your plate, learn to avoid additional tasks and unplug from work after hours and during the holiday season.
Start with a simple exercise: simply saying NO. Holidays and weekends should be nonnegotiable for you, allowing this break to recharge and get more energy for the days ahead.
Think about it this way: you can travel more when your gas tank is full. The way you prepare and recharge for a new week is by taking those necessary breaks in between and being refreshed and ready for a new week of work.
So, as you can see, these four areas are necessary for investing in yourself as a leader: knowledge, mental and physical health, and setting boundaries. Start taking small steps today toward each one to see great results in the new year.
Let me know in the comments if you tried Shortform and what you think, and remember to share with a colleague who may need this information.
