When thinking about your business and/or life — all you do, still need to do, and all the people involved — where do you place yourself and your needs?
Think about all the choices you make on a daily basis, plus the goals you set and benchmarks you want to meet. Where and how do YOU feature in?
So often we let the needs of others affect the choices we make.
From the tiniest of things, like which image you choose on the box of tissue you buy, to big things, like the price you charge for your services (“What if they can’t afford that?”) or the price you’re willing to invest in your own growth (“I can’t spend that much on me when ___ needs ___”).
Where you place yourself on your inner “List of Important Things” plays into every decision you make.
For instance, years ago, I rarely bought flowers for myself. It felt like just another thing I’d need to tend to. It felt like a waste of money for something that would die in a few days. Now, I LOVE buying flowers for myself. I enjoy the process of looking them all over and selecting the ones that most make me smile. I feel delighted walking home with a bunch of blooms sticking out of the top of my market bag. Having fresh flowers helps me feel connected to nature and the changing seasons. They brighten my home and, most importantly, they make me happy. I don’t mind shelling out a few dollars every week or two because my happiness is now of high importance on my list.
Valuing your happiness doesn’t need to cost you a cent. It’s about prioritizing yourself and owning your value.
It’s about saying YES to YOU in small and large ways, every day.
When you do, not only are you happier but those around you are happier too.
You may feel that doing for others should come before doing for yourself. But if you can do for others from the place of a happy heart (versus resentment because you feel your needs and desires aren’t being met), in my mind, there’s no better gift to you both.
I invite you to consider the choices you’re making in your life and business. Is your happiness a factor in the choice? How high does YOUR happiness rank in your decisions? How would it feel to raise it 1%, 5% or even 10% more?
Want help making yourself a priority? Let’s chat.
