How Putting Yourself First Makes You More Productive

By: Brittany V. Carter

There’s never enough time in the day. I’ll never finish my “to-do” list today. Maybe if I throw the laundry in now and submit my deadline by 3pm, I can squeeze in a bath as soon as I finish work, before I start dinner. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Our superwoman abilities to multitask have turned against us. Ladies, it’s time to start putting ourselves first! Time management is certainly important, but boundaries are everything. Imagine if you took back your power by putting yourself first and setting your boundaries, and then found that you magically had more time in the day to accomplish the important things and still enjoy your day. It is possible!

Putting yourself first and honoring your boundaries can start with the little things.

Instead of feeling like you have to do it all, make your “to-do” list if you feel like you have to, but then only mark the very important things that have to be done that day. Take mindful breaks every so often, breathe deeply, and re-center yourself. Say no to things you do not have to do and start realizing that most things we think we “have” to do are actually obligations we impose on ourselves. Use the time you would have put into those obligations, into yourself instead. Those thoughts like, “That person will get mad at me if I say ‘no’”, or “I will let my loved ones down if I choose to stay home”, will probably still come flooding in. However, eventually, as your re-train yourself, your mind will adapt to your new boundaries and your reclaimed power and time for yourself, and the process will become more natural and enjoyable. You may find that you have to make uncomfortable decisions at first, but you will eventually strike a balance between yourself and your obligations, and you will have more time and energy for those things you have to do because you will have replenished yourself, first. As cliché as it may sound, you truly cannot give to others, if you do not give to yourself, first. Otherwise, you will burn out, possibly become ill, or you will at least feel like a hamster running endlessly on a wheel without actually accomplishing anything. You need to be your optimal self before you can help anyone else. Take back your time and your days for yourself.

Enjoy your days while still being productive.

Remember, taking time for yourself and your health in all forms is productivity! You are an investment. Put yourself first. Then, you will be able to give to others from a place of wholeness, and your actions will be more fulfilling to all involved. Remember, putting yourself first does not have to be a painful process. It can start with baby steps, but those baby steps are powerful, and you will be proud of yourself and will notice subtle changes for the better. Live in the moment! Start establishing your boundaries and do something for yourself, first, as soon as you read this. You will thank yourself later.