Written by: Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a student of hospitality for the past 35 years, I am always excited to see how the best in class inspire their workforce. Recently, John Hart, a global senior director with Marriott Meetings & Events, invited me to share with the heart of the house. These 250 people managers are the magic behind Marriott’s Meetings & Events around the world.
I’ve had the fortunate pleasure to teach them how to Spark Self-Care. When you find your spark, you find your joy. When you find your joy, you find your voice. And when you find your voice, you find your freedom. It simply starts with a spark that creates internal alignment of the head, heart, and hands.
There are four domains in Sparking Self-Care. It’s in these domains that you invest time and energy. How are you doing in each of these domains? Here are some practical ideas that you can implement right now:
Spiritual
Meditate or pray, if that aligns with your faith or belief system.
Carve out 5 minutes to read or listen to something that inspires you.
Write down three things you feel grateful for and share them with others.
Physical
Exercise to decrease feelings of stress or anxiety.
Get plenty of sleep.
Go for a walk somewhere beautiful outdoors, like a park, hiking area, or nature reserve.
Emotional
Change the way you use self-talk so that you’re being kinder to yourself.
Write in a journal. Check out the Day One Journal app.
Engage in random acts of kindness and altruism. This has been linked to mood-boosting.
Mental
Have an intellectually stimulating conversation with a loved one.
Spend time outdoors. Soak up the sun.
Take a staycation.
These are just a few of the Spark Self-Care tips that were shared by the brilliant individuals at Marriott Meetings & Events Academy. Which ones resonate with you? More importantly, which one can you implement immediately? It will work if you work it.
Sparking Self-Care is not just a passing fad that is here today and gone tomorrow. It’s a lifestyle as the lines of work and life have blurred. Businesses and organizations will make this a priority in attracting, activating, and advancing talent. The clinical wisdom of Dr. Maria Muzik, professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, rings loud and clear: “People need to be seen, understood, and valued.”
Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
SUCCESS magazine calls Simon T. Bailey one of the top 25 people who will help you reach your business and life goals. He joins a list that includes Oprah Winfrey, Brene Brown, and Tony Robbins. Washington Speakers Bureau recognized him as one of the 12 business speakers who emboldened audiences to think big and lead with purpose. Simon was the first Black American sales director for the Disney Institute based at Walt Disney World Resort. Since leaving Disney, he has served more than 2,100 organizations in 50 countries. His three LinkedIn Learning courses have been viewed by 250,000 individuals in 100 countries. He’s also written 10 books and has one of the 100 most-read motivational and successful blogs.
