How to Prioritize Yourself: The 3 Principles to Follow

Posted on 4/12/2023, 4:36:18 PM

When we think about prioritizing ourselves, we often think about it in terms of being selfish or self-centered. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Prioritizing ourselves is about taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental needs so that we can be the best version of ourselves for others. In this article, we'll discuss three principles to follow when it comes to prioritizing yourself, along with more examples to help you put these principles into practice.

Identify Your Priorities

Identifying your priorities is the first step in prioritizing yourself. It's essential to take some time to reflect on what's important to you and what you value most in life. Here are some examples:

If you're someone who values their health and wellness, prioritize time for exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
If you're someone who values your career, prioritize time for networking, learning new skills, and setting professional goals.
If you're someone who values your relationships, prioritize time for spending quality time with your loved ones, maintaining friendships, and creating meaningful connections.

Once you've identified your priorities, make a plan to ensure that you're dedicating time and energy to those things. For example, if you value your health and wellness, schedule time for a morning workout or meal prep on Sundays to set yourself up for success during the week.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is the next step in prioritizing yourself. Boundaries are essential for protecting your time, energy, and resources. It's okay to say no to things that don't align with your priorities or values. Here are some examples:

If you're trying to prioritize your health and wellness, set boundaries around work hours and limit the amount of time you spend checking emails or working on weekends.
If you're trying to prioritize your relationships, set boundaries around your phone and social media use during quality time with loved ones.
If you're trying to prioritize your personal growth, set boundaries around negative self-talk or limiting beliefs that hold you back.

Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if you're used to saying yes to everything. But remember, saying no to something that doesn't align with your priorities is saying yes to something that does. Setting boundaries also shows others that you value your time and resources, and it can help them understand and respect your priorities.

Practice Self-Care

The third principle for prioritizing yourself is to practice self-care. Self-care is any activity that promotes your well-being, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental. It's essential to take care of yourself so that you can be your best self for others. Here are some examples of self-care:

Physical self-care: Going for a walk, getting a massage, or taking a relaxing bath.
Emotional self-care: Journaling, talking to a therapist, or practicing gratitude.
Mental self-care: Reading a book, learning a new skill, or practicing mindfulness meditation.

Self-care is often seen as a luxury or something that we don't have time for, but it's essential for our overall well-being. When we neglect self-care, we can become stressed, overwhelmed, and burned out. By prioritizing self-care, we can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve our overall quality of life.

In conclusion, prioritizing yourself is essential for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. By following these three principles - identifying your priorities, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care - you can create a plan to prioritize yourself and protect your time, energy, and resources. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't selfish; it's necessary for you to be your best self for others. By prioritizing yourself, you'll have more to give to the people and