Monday Madness
MONDAY MADNESS: WORTH — PUT YOURSELF ON THE LIST
“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.”
— Michelle Obama
When was the last time YOU made your own list?
As we enter the fourth quarter, many of us are carrying full calendars, ambitious goals, leadership responsibilities, family obligations—and soon, the demands of the holiday season.
But here’s the Monday Madness:
Your worth is not measured by how much you accomplish, produce, carry, or do for everyone else.
Sometimes honoring your worth means intentionally creating space to simply be.
PAUSE. BREATHE. BE PRESENT.
-Take a deep breath in…Exhale slowly…
-Again…Deep breath in…Exhale slowly…
-And one more time...
-Take a deep breath in…Exhale slowly…
Now ask yourself:
When was the last time I spent intentional time with myself—not because I had to, but because I wanted to?
Research on solitude offers an important distinction: being alone is not necessarily the same as being lonely. Intentional, chosen solitude can create opportunities for reduced stress, greater autonomy, reflection, and reconnection with yourself. There is no universal “right amount” of alone time—the quality and choice behind it matters. (Nature)
From a coaching perspective, that space can become fertile ground for awareness.
What are you noticing?
What do you need?
What matters now?
What might you hear if you stopped long enough to listen to yourself?
These questions reflect the spirit of ICF coaching competencies such as Maintains Presence, Evokes Awareness, and Facilitates Client Growth—creating reflective space, exploring values and needs, and translating awareness into meaningful action. (International Coaching Federation)
WHAT DOES A DATE WITH YOURSELF LOOK LIKE?
Perhaps it’s coffee without your phone.
A walk without an agenda.
Dinner at a restaurant you’ve been waiting for someone else to try.
Reading. Journaling. Prayer. Music. A museum. A drive.
Or simply 10 uninterrupted minutes with your own thoughts.
The activity matters less than the intention:
I am worthy of my own time, attention, care, and company.
FOR LEADERS & TEAMS
As Q4 expectations intensify, consider:
What are you doing to protect space for reflection before reacting?
How might honoring your own worth influence the way you recognize the worth of those you lead?
Where could your team benefit from more space to pause, think, and contribute rather than simply produce?
Self-reflection is not separate from leadership. Research suggests that intentional reflection can help leaders reconnect with what is meaningful about their roles and strengthen motivation. (Harvard Business Review)
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Carve out 10 intentional minutes for yourself today.
Then consider scheduling one “date with yourself” this month.
-Not because you’ve finished everything.
-Not because everyone else has been taken care of.
Because you belong on your own priority list.
As we carry TRUST from September into October’s theme of WORTH, perhaps the invitation is simple:
Trust yourself enough to make space for yourself.
What are you willing to do differently this week?
Make it count. Be good to yourself. Encourage someone else to do the same.
Remember:
Your worth doesn’t begin when the work is finished—you were worthy before you started.
You got this!
Coach Tavia, PCC, MEd, MAT
REFERENCES
American Psychological Association — “The Benefits of Solitude”The Benefits of Solitude
Scientific Reports — “Balance Between Solitude and Socializing: Everyday Solitude Time Both Benefits and Harms Well-Being”Read the research study
Harvard Business Review — “How Self-Reflection Can Help Leaders Stay Motivated”Read the HBR article
International Coaching Federation — ICF Core CompetenciesExplore the ICF Core Competencies
#MondayMadness #Worth #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #SelfAwareness #IntentionalLeadership #Trust #ProfessionalCoaching #ICFCoaching #EmpoweredLeadership
Tavia Robinson
EMPOWER COACHING & CONSULTING, LLC
732.743.5012
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