“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
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Let’s talk about something super important, something that helps us be the best version of ourselves for everyone around us: Self care.
Think about it like this: if you’re trying to help someone carry a heavy box, you gotta be strong enough yourself, right? You can’t pour from an empty cup. And I’ve learned that showing up as the best version of you means being smart about this stuff, not just waiting until you’re running on fumes. I wasn’t always like this. It took a health scare in 2017 to help me to recognize that I needed to make a change. I know this:
People change when the displeasure of remaining the same is greater than the discomfort of the change itself.
Go ahead and read that again.
I had finally made the decision that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. This decision led me on a journey that I have documented in detail before and I’ve managed that decision daily since then. This past week, I did something I’d been meaning to do… for a while, and that is go to the doctor. Well, actually, I had rescheduled my doctor’s appointment twice – so, yeah, I’m not exactly winning any awards for proactive healthcare myself! But I eventually made it. Not because anything was broken, but because things were going good, and I wanted to keep it that way. It’s like doing regular maintenance on your car and changing the oil every 5,000 miles – you want to catch the little things before they become big problems, even if you hit snooze on the appointment a couple of times.
Being a leader starts with intentionally taking care of what you’ve been given and that means your time, your friendships, and your body!
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s being a good steward. I talk a lot about having faith, being disciplined, and leading the way for others – and that’s the good stuff. But listen up: if you’re feeling worn out, you won’t be much help to anyone.
Think about what it says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” That’s a big deal. God gave us this one life, this one body, to do His work. Taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish; it’s being a good steward of what He’s given us. It’s like taking care of the church parking lot – you want it to be in good shape for everyone who comes so that they feel welcome!
Here are some of the things we tell ourselves to skip taking care of ourselves:
- “I’m too busy.” But think about it: what if taking an hour now gives you more energy and focus for the rest of the week? That’s like saying you’re too busy to put air in your tires – eventually, you won’t be going anywhere.
- “I feel fine.” Sometimes we don’t want to check in because we’re worried about what we’ll find. But good leaders are honest with themselves. They check under the hood before the engine starts making weird noises.
- “It’s no big deal.” That little thing you’re ignoring? It’s like a small leak – ignore it long enough, and you’ll run out of water. The best leaders pay attention to the little things.
Craig Groeschel says, “The decisions you make today determine the stories you’ll tell tomorrow.” And a big part of making good decisions is having the energy and clarity to do so. Even if it takes a couple of tries to actually make the appointment!
So, here’s the game plan I’m trying to stick to:
- Schedule the Check-In Before Things Break Down: Whether it’s your health, your friendships, or your quiet time, don’t wait for the warning signs. Put those check-ups on the calendar, even if you have to reschedule once or twice (we’ve all been there!).
- Honor Your Body as a Tool: Fuel it with good food, give it rest so you can recharge, move it around so it stays strong, and get it checked out by the doctor. Your body’s what carries you through life – take care of it. #stopeatingfrenchfries
- Lead By Example: The best leaders practice what they preach. If you’re encouraging those you coach to take care of themselves, you gotta be doing it too… eventually making that appointment!
Think of yourself as a light. If the light bulb is dim, it doesn’t shine very bright for others. Taking care of yourself is like making sure your light is shining its brightest.
So, let’s all make a commitment to filling our own tanks, even if it takes a few reminders on our phone. It’s not selfish; it’s smart. It’s how we stay strong and keep serving those around us, whether it’s our family, our team, or the folks we help park their cars on Sunday. Cheers to taking care of ourselves so we can keep shining our light!
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” —Edward Stanley
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Be Proactive with Your Purpose – This week, make one proactive decision that puts your health, energy, or spiritual alignment first. Book the appointment. Go for the walk. Take the break. You don’t have to be sick to get better.
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
