This month, while we are busy shopping online or doing something nice for friends or family, I want to make sure each and every one of us is remembering to take care of ourselves.  While you may not be rushing from one event to another this holiday season (thanks COVID), you may be on the brink of burnout from work, or looking for work.  Hence neglecting yourself.

Over the last few months a number of Forbes articles have been catching my attention – talk of skills all of us need heading into 2021, shifts those of us in leadership need to make, and – a more intriguing read – why we need to learn to coach ourselves.  

Serendipitously an old colleague, now leadership trainer and executive coach, Mike Normant, noticed what I am up to nowadays and reached out.  Low and behold in 2018 he published the book Coach Your Self Up: Self-Coaching Skills for Success and sent me a copy.  It is THE guide on how to self coach.

You are your most important coach.  This is often an overlooked and hence under-utilized internal resource or capability.

Mike Normant, Founder, Coach Your Self Up

What stood out to me was his third pillar in career development which I overlook from time to time in working with clients – honing in on one’s beliefs and behaviors so to identify the beliefs and behaviors that are holding us back from our true potential.  The limiting beliefs and behaviors.

It takes a great amount of courage to face and overcome your personal barriers, but from my perspective, the rewards far outweigh the costs.

Dionne Jude, Forbes Council Member and Founder, Overstand You

Now I am not saying don’t hire a coach (I’d be out of a job!), but to include this in your arsenal of coaches, mentors and advisors to help you achieve your goals and dreams – include a process to coach yourself.

Some ways to get started include:

• Recruiting an accountability buddy.
• Keeping a journal of what you are learning, trying to do differently and outcomes.
• Becoming more self-aware: start with listening to your own stories and stories of friends, family and colleagues around you.
• Working in a few minutes towards the end of each day to reflect, learn and journal about what worked and what to do differently heading into tomorrow.

Let’s get ready for you to be the best version of you going into 2021! 

Stay tuned for more self care tips next week.