Bringing your best self to work isn’t just about the outcomes of beautiful design, or knocking projects out of the park. It’s about showing up as the best version of yourself. It’s about being the energized, creative, and focused version of you that you know is there. Some days, it feels like that version is there and ready to do work. Some days, it feels like that person has decided to take the day or week off. Here are some strategies to feel in better control of this, and help you bring your best self to work, if not every day, at least most of the days.

Prioritize Physical Activity

Exercise boosts not just your health, but also your mental clarity and energy levels. Regular exercise reduces stress, improves focus, and helps you maintain the stamina needed to tackle challenging projects. Whether it’s a morning yoga session, a morning gym session, lifting weights, a midday walk, or a gym session after work, movement is key to showing up as your best self.

I know that when I prioritize exercise, I feel not only more energized, but more focused and more confident. For me, when I exercise, I’m supporting every version of myself, and loving every version of myself – showing up as the best version of myself in every aspect of my life. It’s a strong way to demonstrate the love you have for yourself, the people you love and care for in your life, and for the work that you do.

Know your Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics

Clarity is crucial for high performance. Take time to define your goals and understand how your daily tasks align with your objectives. Break down your strategies into actionable steps, tactics, and habits that drive results. A clear sense of direction empowers you to work efficiently and stay motivated.

You can think of goals as a compass direction, always providing that direction. Objectives are measurable waypoints along that direction. Strategies are the ideas that will get you to your objectives, and tactics, actions, and habits are the things that you’ll actually do work on your strategies.

Cultivate Mindfulness

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can significantly enhance your ability to stay present and focused. This doesn’t mean you need to meditate for hours. Even just five minutes of mindful breathing or a quick journaling session can help clear your mind, provide some internal direction, and cultivate mindfulness. When you ground yourself in the present moment, you’re better equipped to manage stress and respond thoughtfully to challenges.

Mindfulness isn’t a destination, it’s a practice. There will be moments that you don’t feel like you have this well in hand. That’s normal. Mindfulness isn’t something you attain, it’s something you maintain through practice. Personally, I try to meditate for 10-15 minutes each day, journal at least 2 pages, and mindfully plan my day using the My Purpose Planners and Journals, which admittedly, I designed. I originally designed them purely for myself, but recently started making them available to others.

Invest in Personal Development

Continuous learning is essential for professional and personal growth. Take time to read books, listen to podcasts, or attend workshops that align with your goals and interests. Developing new skills or deepening existing ones not only boosts confidence, but also keeps your mind sharp and engaged.

Personally, I quite enjoy James Martin (Made By James), Stephen Gates (his The Crazy One Podcast is absolutely amazing), James Barnard, CJ Cawley, and Seth Godin (among others.) Recently, I’ve been reading and re-reading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. I’ve also committed to researching AI and finding actual useful things we can do together (AI isn’t going anywhere, so it’s worth understanding well.)

Establish Healthy Boundaries

Burnout has always been the enemy of bringing my best self to work. Ensure that you set healthy boundaries to maintain a healthy balance. Learn to say no when necessary, make time for play, and prioritize activities that recharge you. By protecting your personal time, you help make sure that you’re better able to bring your best self to work.

Work-life balance is a little bit of a misnomer in my mind. It’s like you have to disconnect from work in order to reconnect to it better later. Sure, there’s times when you should and do disconnect from work, but I don’t think it’s a constant necessity when looked at through a different lens. It’s not about disconnecting from the “evil work”. It’s more about maintaining a healthy balance in the other areas of your life as well.

In my experience, it’s when I’m making sure that I’m making time for play, exercise, eating well, maintaining a clean and organized environment, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and any of  the other things that help bring me clarity, work becomes part of the whole for me. It’s less about disconnecting from work, and more about maintaining a healthy balance overall.

Foster Strong Connections

Building meaningful relationships with colleagues can transform your work experience. When you feel supported nad valued by your team, you’re more likely to thrive. Take time to connect, whether it’s through collaboration, mentorship, or even casual conversation. Strong connections foster a sense of belonging and create a positive environment.

Some of the best connections we’ll make in our lives are work-related ones. I have lifetime friends and mentors. We support each other in a variety of ways, both personal and professional. My leadership philosophy is built on focusing on the people who do the work.

Align Your Work With Your Values

Understanding your values is one of the most important things that you can do. Purpose-driven work is deeply fulfilling. Reflect on what matters most to you and seek ways to align your goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics with your core values. When your work resonates with your personal beliefs, it’s easier to stay motivated and perform at your best.

To discover or re-discover your values, ask yourself the question, “What do I care enough about that I’m willing to do something about it?” Then, come up with a few things that you’d do about those things that you care most about. Those will be your values. You don’t have to have mastery of your values, some values you may not be great at, others you may have great control over. Take some time to explore your values, come up with some goals related to them, then set some objectives, design some strategies, and get to work on them. You’ll find this personal alignment not only fulfilling, but also energizing and empowering. 

Focus on Rest and Recovery

Muscles grow not only in the stress they’re put under when you exercise, but in the rest in between those times. High performance requires adequate rest. Prioritize quality sleep, take regular breaks during the workday, and make time for hobbies and activities that relax or energize you. Recovery is essential for maintaining long-term productivity and creativity.

Some people find fishing, hiking, camping, and being outdoors relaxing. I have a friend that loves to get away for a few days with nothing but a couple of books, a hammock, and some light camping gear. He always returns feeling more relaxed than when he left. Some people will play music or travel. Find what works best for you and commit to making at least some time to rest and play.

Final Thoughts

Bringing your best self to work is a holistic commitment that involves physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By incorporating these strategies, and finding your own, you not only enhance your performance, but also create a more fulfilling professional experience. Start small and notice the big difference that they make.