A Year+ Into Consulting: Here's Three Things I Learned Along the Way
I’ve been consulting in healthcare public relations for a little over a year now. Prior to that, I had a difficult time prioritizing myself and anything outside of work. So, before I started to work in a freelance capacity, I quit my full time job and took about a month to press pause, spend time with loved ones and look inward. At that time, is when some personal things were going on as well as, you know... a pandemic. The combination of it all helped me realize I need to spend more time doing things that I love and taking on more work that lights me up.
After a bit of soul searching, it hit me that I can not only be dedicated to my work, but also to myself and what I need. Seems obvious though, no? I'm so grateful for the new connections, continuing to nurture existing relationships and having more flexibility with my time and to be thoughtful about the work I do.
Below are a few key things I learned about myself, how I like to work and how to prioritize self-care. That way, I can show up as my best self, for myself, my team and my clients. Though, I will admit, it’s still a work in progress!
Starting my morning with self-care is essential for a productive work day: Making the morning "mine", as I like to say, helps me to put my best foot forward and set the stage for the day. Also, I realized I don't need to follow everyone's recommended morning routines. I am not a person who gets up and feels energized at 6 am. I don't always like to work out in the morning - and that's OK. I do love and prioritize warm water with lemon, journaling and meditation. Additionally, I find it helpful to create a personal to-do list before I start my work day; because my personal tasks are just as important as my work to-do list. This is such a simple, yet impactful morning ritual for me.
That email can -and often should- wait: I mean this in a few ways. First and foremost, I try not to look at my email first thing in the morning. This was hard for me for many years given the fast-paced nature of PR. I've always had a sense of urgency instilled in me and I woke up thinking that I was slacking if I did not answer the late email from the night before or the emails that came through first thing in the morning. In the past, when a client or team member emailed me, I used to drop everything to turn to that email. Well, I've learned that urgency and thoughtfulness don't usually go hand in hand. I've found if I don’t look at my email right away, I’m in a better mood when I walk (3 feet) into my office. It’s also really helpful to pause throughout the day - for my well-being and the end product - and think about what I want to say, vs. just checking it off the list. Sometimes even walking away/turning back to it can be helpful too.
I need multiple breaks throughout the day: I'm way more productive if I block my time and schedule in some "me time." I will often focus on a project for about an hour (sometimes two) and then assess where I'm at. If I feel I need a break or an energy boost, I turn away from the task. Whether it's to get some water or tea, make lunch or even go for a quick walk, I find I am more focused on my projects and less distracted throughout the day if I block things out and ensure I'm not glued to the screen all day.
Whether you're freelance, full time or part time, I hope these serve as a reminder to carve out some time for yourself today and every day. What are some ways you put yourself first during the work week and how has this helped you?
*adapted from my LinkedIn article