Why self care NEEDS to be part of your job description
Today I want to talk about slowing down.
One of my all time favourite quotes (which you will be familiar if you joined me for my past Delegate for Impact course) is “you have to slow down to speed up”.
At first glance, the idea of slowing down to speed up might sound a bit wonky. I mean, we're talking about For Purpose leaders right? People like you are the superheroes of making the world a better place – this is like asking you to pause to take a coffee break mid-rescue mission. But here's the scoop: sometimes on this journey you've gotta hit the brakes before you hit the accelerator.
Caught in the busy trap.
The truth is, this struggle to slow down, to shed that overwhelming workload—it's a universal theme. It's something I've seen in nearly all of my 1:1 coaching clients, and it's been resonating with me over the past few months too.
I'll admit, I've been caught in the busy trap since I bid farewell to Do Good Jobs. I thought I'd have sooooo much extra time in my life, but instead, the void left by Do Good Jobs has somehow been filled – with an amazing list of new coaching clients, a colossal to-do list and some new responsibilities and duties that I’ve added. The adage that work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion, has never felt truer for me!
Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely thrilled about this new phase I'm in, but just a few weeks back, it hit me like a ton of bricks that I was still caught in the 'busy' trap. And I want to change that because, well, hitting pause is like recharging your superpowers.
Let’s add self-care to our job descriptions
I get it, taking a break to add in time for YOU might sound as wild as it gets when your to-do list is spiraling out of control. But, believe it or not, that timeout is how you refuel your energy, spark your creative genius, and forge real, authentic connections with your mission. Slowing down isn't your weakness; it's your secret weapon.
I believe that self-care should be an integral part of our job descriptions in the for-purpose world and it’s something I encourage many of my coaching clients to think about too.
Ponder this question:
How effective can you be when you're showing up for your cause tired, with a calendar bursting at the seams, and barely any time to think, let alone plan?
In this state, you're not bringing your A-game, and that often translates to falling short of the goals and the impact you're absolutely passionate about. Stick with this for long enough, and it's a one-way ticket to burnout.
Here's the game-changer.
Instead, picture showing up energised, healthy, and well-rested, with time to dream big, get creative ideas, connect with amazing humans, and spend time in thoughtful planning. I'd wager that version of yourself would be a force to reckon with for your cause.
This might sound like a pipe dream though for you right now, so what needs to shift and happen to make this possible?
Serve from the saucer and the overflow, not from the cup.
Usually it starts with putting your needs first. When you prioritse self-care to recharge, you show up serving not from a rapidly emptying cup, but instead with a cup that is overflowing with the good stuff—energy, creativity, and passion. That's when your impact truly shines and you can give your cause your very best, not just the dregs and leftovers. Believe me, I’ve seen the results from this time and time again with clients and myself!
Let’s set the record straight, self-care isn't selfish; it's an investment in your ability to make a lasting impact.
Taking care of yourself isn't just for you; it's a gift to your mission, too.
As I dive into this new chapter as the For Impact Coach, I want to extend an invite. I'd love for you to join me in reshaping how we approach our work in the For Purpose sector. Let's make self-care an integral part of our mission - and yes - our job descriptions.
If you want to join me in slowing down, here's a little homework for you:
Take a moment to reflect and ask yourself if you're more or less impactful when you've got more energy, creativity, big-picture thinking, planning, and time for building connections with your team, funders and supporters.
Think about how you can prioritize your self-care and make it part of your job description to ensure you're showing up as the best version of yourself for the causes you're truly passionate about.
Break it into baby steps (sustainable change doesn’t happen overnight!) and schedule in 30 minutes in your calendar on self-care this week, or even just 5 mins a day. Then, BLOCK IT OUT on your calendar or get someone to hold you accountable.
I'm holding myself accountable too, so here's my pledge to both myself and all of you: I'm taking the rest of the year to slow down, reflect, and recharge my energy after a pretty busy decade! I’ve closed my books on any new 1:1 coaching clients for this year and instead am focusing on adding in more self-care, quality time with my family, and continued learning. This week, my baby step is starting 5 days of 5 minutes of meditation and calm each day.
If you're up for it, share your thoughts and get some accountability by messaging me over on Instagram at juliacapon_forimpactcoach.
Together, we can create a for-purpose world where self-care isn't just an afterthought but a cornerstone of our success.
Stay tuned for more insights, stories, and strategies to come. Until next time!
I’m also simmering on bigger ideas…
While I have been trying to slow down, I have not been short of ideas! Creativity and energy are starting to flow, but I am also being very careful about what I jump into next and protecting my time for the next few months. Through 1:1 coaching I am seeing a few themes and am considering a group programme so that I can support a larger number of individuals in their journey to make a meaningful impact in 2024. If you're intrigued and want to stay in the loop, please consider adding your name to my mailing list. It's not active just yet, but when the right energy strikes, things will certainly start to take shape. Slowing down now, will definitely help me speed up next year and deliver a whole loads of exciting options for you to get involved.
