Why Self-Care Should Be a Top Priority in Striving for Success

I recently read an article from Inc. titled Work, Sleep, Family, Fitness, or Friends: Pick Three. While it was written to describe the entrepreneur’s dilemma, it really spoke to me and my current dilemma with my chronic pain flare-up. The concept of the article is that it impossible to do all of these successfully and that you have to pick your three most important areas if you want to excel.

The Importance of Self-Care

It was reading this article that made me realize it didn’t say anything about the energy it requires to take care of yourself…and I think that is a trap those of us with – and even those without – chronic pain often fall into. We may be doing well just choosing three…. for a while. But the reality is we all need to focus on taking care of ourselves. Sometimes does mean fitness or getting more sleep. But often our priorities get out of wack and we let one of the most important of all fall by the wayside, and we may even feel like failures for not being able to do more.

Be the Turtle, Even If You Are the Hare

This is timely as we approach Easter, but I have to reference the Tortoise and the Hare. We all know the story; slow and steady wins the race. When you used to be a hare, able run at full speed, it is incredibly hard to accept that you are now a tortoise and really do have to take it one day at a time. If you can only manage work, self-care and sleep and nothing else for a while, it’s OK. That’s how you slowly build up your energy and allow yourself to heal and get back to your new normal.

Follow this journey on Alyce’s blog.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Thinkstock photo via Nomadsoul1.