As we head into the busiest time of the year for a lot of you, here is a public service announcement.

You can’t give what you don’t have.

I can already see the impact of the year on faces of leaders that are over worked, under slept, over
burdened, under staffed, overwhelmed, and under resourced.

Your team needs every ounce of you as you head into the final two months of the year.

They need your time, energy, attention, vision, resources, opportunity, motivation, and presence.

Do a quick check.

On a scale of 1-10, What do you have to give?

What’s in the tank? How are you feeling? Positive? How do you show up at home at night? Are you present at dinner or are you 1000 miles away?

On a scale of 1-10, What do you need to give?

Who needs you? What do they need? What’s the highest and best use of you in the next two months? If you were the best version of you, what could you give them?

Think about one key employee. What does that person need from you? Do you have it? Can you give it?

I’m going to give you permission to have a chance to be the best version of you.

You have my permission to:

* Get a good night’s sleep … every night. Sleep for at least 8 hours. That alone will give you energy. I know, it means going to bed earlier. You’re welcome.

* Don’t eat or drink everything that is put in front of you. The amount of junk food and alcohol available during this time of the year is staggering. Guess what … you don’t have to participate every time. Scale it back to 1 in 5 opportunities. Your body will thank you.

* Reprioritize. This time of the year is weird and the holidays create all sorts of funny family/work hours and situations. How should you spend your time to be the most effective? It might not be standard issue. What should your ideal week look like for the next two months?

* Your Idea. You are the expert on you. What do you need to do to be the best version of you for your company and family for the next two months? Whatever list just came to mind, Do it!

You can’t give what you don’t have. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. It’s what leaders do. Do it!