Taking care of yourself requires a certain level of selfishness.  Many of us find this difficult.  Most likely we were raised to be thoughtful, kind, sharing and considerate.  At some point in our adulthood we take these personality traits and put them on steroids.  Next thing you know the needs of everyone and everything around you become more important that your own.

How many times have you skipped lunch at work, came in early or left late.  Made different plans or canceled a personal appointment because you had to finish up that project or cover that shift.

Who eats first at your house?  Kids, partner, dog, cat, hamster then you?  How many nights are you standing in the kitchen alone doing dishes while everyone else in the house has their face buried in some electronic device or video game?

There are times when we give so much of ourselves to everyone around us that we forget to leave some for ourselves.  The problem with being selfish is that some people have a problem with it and some have NO PROBLEM AT ALL!  By being overly unselfish we in return make the ones around us more selfish.

We all know how hard it is to “say no” to tempting foods.  I think it is just as hard to “say no” to the loved ones around us so we have time to take care of ourselves.  So you may be asking yourself…how does an unselfish person become slightly selfish?  Practice using what I like to call the “ABC’s of Selfishness”.

A – Analyze your patterns or routines that are causing you stress and taking up to much time.

B – Break the cycle with a plan to overcome the obstacles that you have identified in the analysis phase.

C – Communicate with the ones around you about the changes you are going to be making and why you need to make them.

I am telling you, this works!  This can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.  Using this process I have been able to find more time to play with my son, execute a regular exercise routine and maintain a high level of productivity at work while using my break time for personal errands or tasks. Amazingly, my slightly elevated level of selfishness appears to have a VERY POSITIVE impact on the ones I love….including myself!