It’s a brand-new year and most are “hitting the ground running,” in an effort to lock down big goals and plans that solidify their next level. And while that is one approach to experiencing your first or next 7 figure year, I’d like to invite you to consider another.
In 2024, we updated our proven methodology, the Move to Millions® Method to include two additional pillars –one of which I would like to focus on with you today – Self-Care.
Scaling your business to seven or eight figures requires energy, focus, and relentless execution— but none of that is sustainable without self-care. High-performance recovery is a non-negotiable for CEOs who want to lead at their best, and yet, it’s often the first thing that gets overlooked.
The truth? Self-care and rest isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strategy. When you intentionally integrate recovery into your schedule, you unlock greater creativity, better decision-making, and more consistent performance. Let’s explore how to do it.
1. Determine What Self-Care Means To You
In my Move to Millions® 90-Day Business Growth Planner, we created space for tracking your self-care each day and each week. The beautiful thing about leveraging self-care is that you get to determine what self-care means to you and which modalities you will leverage for your own rest and recovery time.
- Self-care includes all of the following: exercise, moving your body, sleep, spa time with manicures and pedicures, massages and facials, seeing a therapist, sex, dancing, journaling, long walks, reading, etc. Basically, anything that allows you to reset and rest is an option.
- Personalizing your self-care allows you to decide the impact of its practice on your life and business success.
2. Treat Self-Care as a Strategic Investment
Self-care has always been a business growth strategy for me. I know that when I take time away to recharge my batteries, I come back sharper than ever. Rest isn’t just about stepping away from work—it’s about creating the space to recharge so you can come back sharper and stronger. I have made it my mission to ensure that I have CEO white space on my calendar every day so that I never have to feel rushed or hurried. This will require you getting your team onboard and setting clear boundaries that are enforced at every level.
- Plan Recovery Periods: Schedule regular rest breaks into your daily and weekly routine. This could mean stepping away from your desk every 90 minutes or blocking off a full afternoon for a creative reset.
- Align Rest with Peak Work Periods: Identify your most productive times of day and work intensively during those hours. Use lower-energy times for rest or light tasks.
- Commit to Quarterly CEO Retreats: Set aside one weekend each quarter for reflection, visioning, and recovery. This is your time to step out of the day-to-day and think strategically.
- Empower Your Team To Show Up When You Are On Self-Care: By modeling self-care for your team, it will help them to understand the power and significance of self-care as well. And a team that is focused on rest and recovery as a part of their core values is a team that performs at its peak.
3. Incorporate Active Recovery into Your Day
Active recovery is about engaging in activities that rejuvenate your mind and body without feeling passive.
- Move Your Body: Take a 10–15 minute walk, stretch, or do yoga to release tension and boost endorphins.
- Practice Mindful Breaks: Use techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or visualization to reset and regulate your nervous system. Apps like Calm or Insight Timer can help.
- Shift Your Environment: Step outside, work in a new space, or change your scenery to spark creativity and refresh your mindset.
4. Use Sleep as a Business Growth Tool
Sleep is your secret weapon for high performance, but too many CEOs sacrifice it in the name of productivity. That whole “I will sleep when I’m dead” is a problem that has far too many hustling and grinding. While work is required to make, move and leave millions – grinding is optional and not recommended.
- Create a Sleep Routine: Wind down an hour before bed with calming activities like reading, journaling, or meditating. Avoid screens and stimulants.
- Don’t bring your devices into your sleep space: If you aren’t distracted by the scroll, you can set an intentional end to your day. I like to write in my journal and respond to three prompts to allow my spirit to settle and my body to get ready for a night of rest-filled sleep.
- Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: Focus on getting 6–8 hours of uninterrupted, deep sleep. If you struggle, consider tools like blackout curtains, white noise machines, or sleep trackers.
- Take Power Naps: A 20-minute nap can recharge your brain and improve focus for the rest of the day.
5. Reframe Rest as a Leadership Strategy
Rest doesn’t just benefit you—it sets the tone for your entire team. When you prioritize recovery, you lead by example, showing your team that sustainability matters.
- Normalize Recovery: Encourage your team to take breaks and avoid burnout. A rested team is a more innovative, productive team.
- Integrate Rest into Your Culture: Build in recovery-friendly practices like flexible work hours, designated “focus days,” or mandatory PTO or self-care days for your team. Offer incentives and bonuses that include self-care practices. Ask your team to tell you their preferred way to self-care and reward them when they go above and beyond.
- Celebrate Breakthroughs After Rest: Share how stepping away led to creative insights or better decisions to reinforce its value.
Scaling your business requires you to show up at your best every day. High-performance recovery isn’t a luxury—it’s how you sustain your edge while growing without burning out.
This week, commit to building rest into your schedule. Start small: take one mindful break, prioritize better sleep, or block time for a recovery activity. Your business will thank you—and so will your future self.
Ready to formalize your self-care practice as a business growth strategy? Get your copy of the Move to Millions 90-Day Planner today at https://incredibleoneenterprises.com/business-growth-planner/.
