5 Ways To Put Yourself First

Connect & Create

Oct 1, 2019

Hey there friend… if you’re reading this, you’re most likely having a hard time trying to figure out how to put yourself first. Maybe you’re like me. A full-time single mom, who owns a photography business, and loves to help inspire and educate others. Maybe you’re not any of those things, but you are someone who really wants to figure out how to start taking care of yourself…. first.

FIRST OFF, YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Let’s face it, if you’re not your best self, you can’t give anyone else your best either… let alone your business. I started to learn that the old saying “you have to take care of you first before you can take care of anyone else”, really is TRUE not too long ago! It’s more than true, it’s so accurate I bet my health on it. In fact, I’ll get a little transparent here… not long ago I had a really (and I mean really) hard time actually putting myself first. I’m not talking in a superficial way either here my friend, I’m talking like, I really didn’t ever put myself first. I can only guess this started as a young teenager when one of my step-brothers told me that I was selfish. Now that I’m almost 40, I know damn well that I wasn’t a selfish person, but he had some deep-rooted personal issues that he couldn’t overcome so he took them out on me. Now all of that is for another blog…

“Not long ago I had a really (and I mean really) hard time actually putting myself first.”

– Heather J. Keys, 5 Ways To Put Yourself First

Because of those comments and nasty statements that were made, I was petrified of someone actually thinking I was selfish. Roll in the “always put others before me” which is a very self-sabotaging way of thinking. But how did I combat this… how do YOU combat this way of thinking? I’ve got a few things listed below that will help you. They are thinkings that I often do nowadays in order to make sure I’m taking care of myself… since (here comes another transparent moment) even up to a few months ago, I wasn’t putting myself first and my own health was suffering. You see, I was diagnosed with COPD and if I don’t take care of me… my lungs won’t be able to handle it. I can’t afford to get sick, not because of money, but because of my health… there is no way I’m leaving this world already. I’m a single mom and my daughter needs me more than any amount of “work” that needs to get done.

“I was petrified of someone actually thinking I was selfish…”

– Heather J. Keys, 5 Ways To Put Yourself First

Taking care of one’s self looks different for everyone, with that said, here are some ways to help encourage you to be your best self and to put yourself first.

1. Set your work hours and be sure to share those work hours with others.
Post your work hours on your website, on social media, and within any written correspondence with your clients/potential clients.

2. Close your laptop/turn off your computer at the end of your workday.
It’s important to have the separation from your work so that you can focus on yourself and your family.

3. Set your email and social media notifications to turn off at the end of your workday.
This will help you spend less time scrolling through your business emails and social media when it’s not working hours. Only reply to emails during working hours and set your social posts to hit your feed during working hours so that you can engage during your working hours.

4. Read a business educational book daily
I do this in the morning to help get me into the proper mindset of working on my business. I specifically read books that are NOT photography related, that way I’m gaining another perspective from a different industry.

5. Get fresh air!
Schedule in time to go OUTSIDE. I mean it. They say that fresh air helps the mind with creative tasks and it can help you stay focused on your goals. Plus fresh air helps the body recharge quicker. If you are feeling sluggish, stand up for 10-15 minutes. Office lights and dark spaces cause us to be tired and less engaged in what we are needing to work on.

Here are a few other fun ideas on ways you can put yourself first, feel free to snag this and post it up on social media to help remind yourself and others. Accountability is so great, so be sure to share this article with someone you feel could use a little extra encouragement.

Please let me know if any of these suggestions resonate with you. If you’d like to comment your response below, I’d love the feedback too… plus any tips on how you go about put yourself first.

Have a rad day!
Heather