The Art of Putting Yourself First – 11 Guilt-Free Ways
Is it ok to Put Yourself First?
The ability to set juicy goals and achieve them requires mustering up the courage to take responsibility for your life. That involves putting yourself first however sometimes it can make you feel guilty.
By putting yourself first, you are simply making it your number ONE priority to take care of your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Creating the life that you desire is no one else’s responsibility but yours.
You cannot do that if you keep getting in the way of yourself by thinking and caring too much about others.
There is no doubt that caring for the needs of others is a natural human instinct, but it should never be to your detriment.
Many people are oblivious to the realization that they are 100% responsible for themselves.
They like to believe that putting the needs of others first, before their own, follows a universal moral code of conduct that you must adhere to, the failure of which makes them less human or less fortunate in life.
After all, aren’t we all taught from small not to be putting the needs of others ahead of our own is the best and only way to live?
They may think people will stop liking them, or that being a tireless caregiver gives them a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Some sincerely feel responsible for others, or worse, they don’t feel worthy of making themselves a priority.
Whichever one of the above categories you may find yourself in, the good news is that you can reset your thinking.
Question why you believe that negating your own needs is for the benefit of others. Remind yourself that it is by taking care of yourself first and foremost that you will then be in a better position to help others – if the need arises.
So permit yourself to start spending more time on making yourself number one in your own life.
The Importance of Putting Yourself First
Rather than confining your thoughts to the preconceived notion of scary consequences that would supposedly befall you if you put yourself first, it is much more reassuring to focus on the numerous benefits guaranteed by putting yourself first.
The importance of this is tied to many wholesome benefits some of which include:
- Being more productive
- Being more joyful
- Having more energy
- Receiving more respect from others
- Improved relationships
- Experiencing less fear
- Suffering from less stress
- Feeling less resentment
- Experiencing less depression
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The Art of Putting Yourself First – 11 Guilt-Free Ways
Below are some healthy ways and tips that can help you develop the habit of putting yourself.
This can be done without burning bridges or negatively affecting your energy, enthusiasm, and motivation.
Following them will help you achieve your goals, protect your mental and physical well-being, and overcome even your biggest challenges.
1. Choose Your Purpose
Having a clear purpose is the simplest, most basic thing every person needs to live a fulfilling and satisfying life.
Without a clear sense of purpose, you will end up living your life haphazardly.
Your purpose also makes it easier for you to say ‘No’ to people and things that do not align with your highest good.
Being aware of your life purpose and living it helps you identify those things that you need to do and when you need to do them.
By consciously reaffirming your purpose regularly, you will be inspired to multiply your efforts of taking action to see your purpose fulfilled.
Your life purpose need not be tied to what you do but rather to who you are.
Try and remember we are all unique and part of some great mysterious puzzle..just for who we are ….not or what we do.
In this crazy competitive society, too much emphasis is placed on what a person does as opposed to who he/she is.
2. Have a Vision for your Life
Putting yourself first also requires that you develop a clear vision of the life that you want to lead. A vision keeps you focused on the journey of your life.
A clear vision will allow you to effectively prioritize your tasks and projects as the important things will align with your purpose and vision of your ultimate life. To get clear about your vision, start by reflecting on these three questions:
- Who do I want to be?
- What do I want to do?
- How do I want to feel?
If you are unsure about your vision, meditating or journaling on these questions will assist you in getting clear about what you want out of life.
3. Set Personal Goals and Plan
Setting personal goals is a wise way to ensure your vision becomes a reality.
Goals make the realization of your vision much more achievable and will keep you motivated and focused on what you want out of life.
After setting your goals, set aside regular time to plan how you will achieve each of them.
The most important part is, of course, taking inspired action. Make sure that no matter how small the action is you do something daily that will keep you focused and on the road to your goal.
Keep in mind that if you are having a hard time staying motivated and focused on your goals it could be because they are not the right goals for you.
If that is the case go read this post where I discuss 7 Brilliant questions to ask yourself when you are feeling unmotivated.
4. Learn New Skills
As you draw up your goals and develop your vision, you may find you need to learn new skills to make your ideal life a reality.
Take some time to identify those areas in which you may be lacking in knowledge and skills. Then take proactive steps to bridge the gap between your present and desired levels regarding your knowledge and skills.
I’m sure you will love this free informative webinar that teaches you how you can use your existing skills and knowledge and build a business that makes money on autopilot AND makes a difference.
5. Set Personal Boundaries
Setting personal boundaries is a skill you need to master when learning how to put yourself first because you will need it a lot at every step of your journey.
This is especially true if you tend to be a people-pleaser. Others are used to you backing down and giving them what you want, so you’ll need to stay strong. Learn to say, “No, thank you.”
Even when they try to convince you to think otherwise, practice sticking to your decision by not getting pressured into consenting.
Setting personal boundaries is a vital skill because it enables you to defend your time and your rights which is an essential component of putting yourself first.
6. Get Exercise
Putting yourself first isn’t only about goal setting and getting ahead. It’s also about taking the time for self-care. After all, if you don’t take care of your health, you’ll be unable to live your purpose or fulfill your life’s vision.
Put yourself and your health first by starting a program of regular exercise if you aren’t already doing so.
Engaging in a brisk daily walk is all that’s needed to improve and maintain your health.
7. Eat Healthily
A healthy diet is equally as important as your body’s need to exercise.
Eating a nutritious diet is a huge part of taking care of your health and putting yourself first.
If your diet needs a major overhaul, take it one step at a time and work your way up to your ideal diet.
Remember, putting yourself first is about being kind to yourself.
8. Sleep Enough
Getting sufficient sleep is another essential component of putting yourself first.
It is also necessary for boosting your performance and replenishing your energy.
By getting enough sleep, you will be better equipped to face the hurdles of the new day with greater confidence, energy, and enthusiasm.
Never allow anyone or anything to come between you and the need to get enough sleep.
9. Schedule Relaxation
Sometimes you may be lacking the energy you need to live your ultimate life.
Rather than trying to push through such times, it is better to maximize your relaxation and recovery.
You can engage in activities that will help reduce fatigue and replenish your energy, such as meditation, yoga, massage, or a quick nap.
If you find you run low on energy and motivation regularly, start scheduling relaxation or downtime into your day. A consistent relaxation routine will keep you on more of an even keel, so you don’t burn out.
10. Journal
When you feel you have a lot to do and you are overwhelmed with too many ideas, journaling will help clear your head.
Journaling can also lead to better self-awareness, which is the foundation of putting yourself first.
You can journal any way you wish—with paper and pen or by using an app. You might choose to journal every day or only when you feel overwhelmed or unsettled. Whatever works for you is perfect.
11. Practice Gratitude
Take some time each day to reflect on the positives in your life.
It’s easy to focus on the things we’d like to change and neglect to be appreciative of all we have.
It is very important to have a realistic perspective on your life and identify the positives for the sake of your health and well-being.
As you find the time to write down and reflect on all the things you are grateful for each day, you will reduce your stress levels and naturally find more and more to be grateful for in your life.
Conclusion
The art of putting yourself first is something you must make a conscious effort to do.
You must fill your cup first, or you will end up with nothing left to give to others. Even when you face negative reactions from people who feel that you are selfish for putting yourself first, remembering and using the tips outlined above will give you the wherewithal to go on regardless and live the life that you desire.
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