One day every week, I take a CEO day.
It's a day without meetings or client work where my calendar is wide open to think about the big vision for my business and how to make even more impact for the people we serve.
It's also the day I do some luxurious self-investing.
I do my own coaching, deepen my study and mastery of the art of coaching, take a long walk or do a workout, a sauna and go for a massage.
This week I had some intense bodywork and spent most of the day afterwards resting in bed. It felt like my body wanted it and in keeping with two of my own Relationship Alchemy Rules ("I take my feelings seriously" + "Self-investment is non-negotiable") I felt inclined to listen.
But even though the call to self-invest was so clear and I had the space to do it, my brain wanted to argue that it was lazy, self-indulgent and unfair to ask my partner to look after the kids for the bulk of the day.
Does this ever happen to you?
The message from within is clear and strong and yet you feel some external cultural or social pressure to push forward in spite of it.
The truth is, many people don't listen and override their inner knowing.
When you do this, you are telling yourself that your feelings don't matter and self-investing is not essential if it means someone might need to go out of their way to support you or if it means you don't maximize every waking hour for the sake of your business or your family.
As an entrepreneur, this way of thinking and denying yourself is dangerous.
Every time you push yourself harder when you are clearly being asked to slow down, you are treating yourself like a dispensable commodity in your own life.
This is why so many entrepreneurs have a "burn out" story.
But there is good news. There is a very simple way to avoid burn out and start treating yourself well.
It's called listening.
Once you learn how to do it for yourself you can extend this skill to everyone in your life.
And you can start right now.
How to Listen Within:
1. Get still and bring your attention to your body. That might mean closing your eyes and taking a few breaths and noticing how your body feels.
2. Bring attention to your emotional state. How do you feel right now?
3. Ask yourself, "What's the best thing for me right now?"
4. Listen for the answer.
5. Acknowledge what you've heard and decide what to do.
You might not choose to follow the guidance in the moment, but acknowledging what you heard will develop a deeper relationship with your inner compass.
As you build that trust with yourself, you'll start finding it easier to follow your authentic guidance.
And that will make all the difference not only in avoiding burnout but also in what you are able to bring to your business.
If you want your inner compass to become your main guide in life—so you can stay connected with what matters and avoid burnout—join the Relationship Alchemy program today.
