How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Introduction to Self-Care as a Leader
So what do we mean when we talk
So, self-care is not just getting a
about “self-care”? And why is this so
pedicure or a massage, although both
important as women, physicians, and
can be essential parts of your own
leaders?
self-care. And self-care is not only for women – self-care is for all of us, as
At its essence, self-care is what you
humans. We need self-care for our
need each day to be your best self.
well-being as human beings.
What do you need, so that you can show up as the best version of
What else do you need in your life
yourself? The version that is most
each day so that you can feel your
aligned with your core values, your
best and show up as your best self?
personal mission and vision, your
And most importantly, how can you
leadership philosophy and the leader
model this behavior for others?
you most want to be? Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Here are some ideas to get you
Who in your life can you think of who
started:
models self-care well? Who is a leader
Getting 7-9 hours of sleep, every
you can think of who models self-care
night
well?
Moving your body each day – whether a walk, run, biking, hike,
I ask this, as self-care is a concept that
yoga, or stretching
most of us struggle with – especially
Minimizing your alcohol intake
as leaders. And as leaders, we set the
Eating healthy foods that make
tone for those we work with, those
you feel good
who report to us, and the members of
Spending time with your loved
our teams. If we are not modeling the
ones
behavior we want to encourage from
Hugging your kids or your
others, we are not giving others the
furbabies
permission to prioritize their own self-
Reading a book
care. We must practice what we
Listening to a podcast
preach. Our actions and behaviors
Giving yourself down time every
speak volumes, much more than our
evening to wind down
words or what we say.
Taking a break from screens each day
Well-being is described as the
Being outside in nature
experience of feeling well. Our well-
Having coffee with a good friend
being includes our emotional,
Doing a 5-minute guided
physical, social, workplace, societal,
meditation
spiritual well-being. What do you need
Getting a massage or pedicure
in each areas of your life to feel well
Taking a bath
and be your best self? This, is self-
Quiet time to yourself
care.
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Your Assignment: Take 20 minutes right now and write down everything that helps you to be the best version of you. What do you need? What helps you to feel well? Now take out your calendar. If you’re still old school like me, I have one of those big 8.5 x 11” paper planners! Or pull out your smartphone or Google/Microsoft Outlook calendars. Now, pick a color that denotes “self-care” to you. For me, I’ve chosen a lavender color because I find it relaxing and soothing. Now, schedule an item from your list every single day in your calendar for the next 2 weeks. YES, every single day! Highlight it in your color for “self-care” – whether in your physical or electronic calendar. If we don’t schedule it, it doesn’t happen, right? More on this later this month! Now, decide now to commit to keeping each of these self-care commitments for the next 2 weeks. Make a pact or a plan with a good friend who can help keep you accountable. Help your friend do the same and hold each other accountable! Based on your learning, reflect on how it applies to your day-to-day, please capture your reflections here to get your AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/ZEsMDS
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC