The world as we know it has changed. And dramatically at that. Simple habits we used to take for granted, such as driving to work, making a coffee stop on the way, meeting friends for dinner, shaking hands, hugging… will never be the same. Our sense of safety has been shattered and our mind pre-occupied with a looming disease that can reach us at any time, if we are not careful! Wearing our masks, washing and sanitizing our hands after every public encounter. How in the world does one retain their sanity amid all this abnormal normal?
 
As leaders, we find ourselves having to set an example for our team, all the while juggling business requirements, team safety and wellbeing. Striking the right balance and setting our priorities straight can prove to be a daunting task with so many stakeholders in view.
 
As women and mothers who are naturally wired to be caregivers, we end up multitasking the heck out of the challenges at hand, even thriving at it. Yet, ironically ignoring our own selves in the process. Many times, the mission of assuming leadership takes its toll on us the most. But, at what cost are we willing to continue to remain on this altruistic path when the reality is that the next burnout may very well be just around the corner!
 
Truth is, we can only go so far before our system shuts down on us and we are no longer able to continue giving. What if I told you there was a way to help you tap into a self-rejuvenating source of abundant energy? One that puts us at the top of our priority list whilst enabling us to perform at an even higher level of efficiency. Interested?
 
Bear in mind that this is not a one size fits all formula. These are 7 guiding principles through which each one of us needs to figure out the right balance based on our individual situation and respective needs:

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Vulnerability is not a taboo. We all have feelings and need to be able to talk about them. It’s also essential that we own our emotions and not guilt ourselves for having them. Even superwoman can be emotionally down at some point; the important part is to know when that’s happening and acknowledge it.



2. UNPLUG TO RECONNECT
Sometimes, you just need a break from it all to refresh and reboot your mind. So, stop what you’re doing and take a walk. Cook. Plant. Whatever it takes to get your mind off all of the pressure.

3. BE SELFISH TO BE GENEROUS
I can’t stress the importance of “me-time” enough and encourage every person to add a relaxing activity to their daily schedule. For me, it was sports; and especially yoga coupled with meditation. I practice yoga on a regular basis as it allows me to relax and de-stress. So many women feel guilty for taking time away from their families, their work or what have you; not realizing that this is the only way they can replenish their energy enough to double their efforts. To put it simply: the more you have, the more you can give!



4. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
Being in the present moment can help to relieve anxiety. When coupled with deep breathing techniques, the most stressful day can dissolve when we catch on to the root of the cause and simply breathe it out. These are my go-to tools to alleviate stress.
 
5. KEEP IT POSITIVE
I know much has been said about maintaining a positive state of mind, but it cannot be repeated enough, I promise. It is potentially one of the most powerful principles of all. Having a positive perspective on every single situation we face, no matter how dire it may be, is a form of self-empowerment. It makes us see the possibilities rather than the limitations. The great part is that it can apply to both personal and professional aspects. Heck, any aspect of life!
 
6. STRUCTURE AND CATEGORIZE
Categorizing helps us to focus our thinking on one idea, issue, or challenge at a time rather than attempting to think about everything at the same time. It also helps with planning and prioritization, which is an essential part of juggling work and personal life, especially if, like me, one is managing a regional team amid a pandemic! We simply can’t jam everything, and if our head is jammed, then our work is inevitably jammed, too.



7. MAINTAIN HUMAN CONNECTION
Perhaps one of the very few positive outcomes from this pandemic is the increased sense of community and solidarity. So, let’s make use of it! Family and friends are the most solid support systems out there. When you contrast that against the beautiful bond we share as women and how we stand by one another, it’s no wonder we historically have longer lifespans than men!