What do you think about this statement? “People who don’t embrace self-care aren’t truly self-aware.”

Do you agree or disagree? Maybe you feel a bit defensive, wondering if I’m questioning your self-awareness?

It’s understandable—self-awareness is challenging for many. Research shows that while 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, only 10-15% actually are.

I came across this statement in Lindsay C. Gibson’s book, Self-Care of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: Honor Your Emotions, Nurture Your Self & Live with Confidence. It made me pause. Just last week, during a human leadership training I hosted, we emphasized the importance of self-awareness as a foundation before stepping into leadership roles.

If you’re highly driven, you might see self-care as a sign of weakness—something for those who can’t handle the pressure. You know, the ones without grit.

I’m here to challenge that outdated mindset. I’m incredibly driven, but I’ve also learned to listen to my body and rest when needed. I wasn’t always this way. I used to take pride in my grit, feeling accomplished when my boss would highlight it in my performance reviews: “I like your grit.” What I think he really meant was, “I like that you keep grinding without slowing down.”

But here’s the truth: self-awareness is at the core of everything. It’s how you understand your strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and, crucially, how these impact those around you.

Self-care is essential before you can truly care for others. We’ve all heard the sayings:

• “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
• “Put your oxygen mask on before helping others.”

These aren’t just clichés—they’re true. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, especially in the corporate environment, we’re bombarded with the mantra, “do more with less.” I used to cringe every time I heard (or had to say) it. This mentality is the exact opposite of what we need. How can we cultivate self-awareness and self-care when we’re expected to do the work of three people?

This relentless pace leads us to stop listening to ourselves, creating unhealthy work environments and a stressed society.

Let me share how I work on staying self-aware—a lifelong practice:

Warning Sign: Jumping from one task to another.
What I Do: I pause. Take a walk, close my eyes, get some water, or play with my dog—anything to refresh my mind.

Warning Sign: My hips or back start hurting, and I can’t get comfortable.
What I Do: I move my body, stretch, or switch to a standing desk.

Warning Sign: I feel tired with zero motivation, but my to-do list is long. The old “I must be productive” mindset kicks in.
What I Do: I ask for help and I rest. This one is tough, but I’ve learned that others are just as capable of doing the task at hand as I am. And, rest is necessary. Pushing through only leads to burnout.

So, the next time you claim to be self-aware, I challenge you to pause and ask yourself: Am I really? Am I listening to my body and recognizing the signs that I need to take a break?

This is your first step toward being a great leader—one who others want to follow because you set the example by taking care of yourself first, so you can effectively care for others. Trust me, your team is watching.