The Self-Care for Leaders Challenge
Self-care is the most underrated leadership skill
Joy Donnell
What is it?
Leadership is demanding. You’re making decisions, guiding your team, handling change, and juggling about 15 priorities at once. It’s easy to put yourself last, but when you invest in yourself, you show up stronger, think more clearly, and lead with more impact.
This challenge is designed to help you build small, intentional habits that boost your energy, resilience, and effectiveness as a leader. No fluff. No unrealistic routines. Just practical self-care strategies you can actually stick to.
⚡ Why It’s Needed
If you’ve ever felt:
- Overwhelmed by the constant demands of leadership.
- Like you’re always ‘on’ and rarely get time to reset.
- That your energy, focus, or confidence isn’t where it should be.
Then this challenge will help you reset, refocus, and build habits that support both you and your leadership.
Getting Started
1️⃣ Commit to It
No half-measures. If you’re here, you’re ready. Pick a start date, decide to follow through, and stick with it.
2️⃣ Set Your Goal
How do you want to feel at the end of this challenge? More focused? Less stressed? Write it down. Use it as your reminder when things get busy.
3️⃣ Take Small, Daily Actions
You don’t need a dramatic life overhaul. Small, consistent steps lead to real change.
🚀 Lets do this!
Daily & Weekly Self-Care Habits
💡 Book at time for each of these items in your calendar
🔹 Mindfulness & Reflection (Daily) Start or end your day with 10 minutes of mindfulness or journaling. Reflect on what’s working, what’s challenging you, and what you’re grateful for.
🔹 Move Your Body (Daily)
Even 10 minutes of walking, stretching, or movement can shift your energy and mindset. Leadership is a mental game, but your body is part of the equation.
🔹 Protect Your Focus (Weekly)
Schedule dedicated thinking time—no meetings, no distractions. Use it for strategy, planning, or simply stepping back to see the bigger picture.
🔹 Digital Detox (Weekly)
Step away from work notifications, emails, and screens for a set period. Even an hour of intentional disconnection can help reset your mind.
🔹 Check In With Yourself (Weekly)
Take 10 minutes to reflect on the week
What gave me energy?
What drained me?
What’s one small shift I can make next week?
Making It Stick
This isn’t just a 30-day challenge, it’s about building habits that support you long-term.
- Block time in your calendar for your self-care actions.
- Tell someone about your commitment accountability helps!
- Adjust as you go this is about what works for you.
🎉 You Made It!
Self-care doesn’t mean doing less, it means leading better. By making time for yourself, you’re building the resilience, clarity, and focus to lead with impact.
Now, take what works, keep going, and remember, great leadership starts with looking after yourself.
📞 ‘Need Help?’
If your leadership team is struggling to put this into action, let’s chat. Book a call and we’ll work through the roadblocks together.
More about me!
Hey I'm Claire, founder of Impactful People
With a background spanning law, international sport, technology, people, startups, and leadership roles, I bring a wealth of real-world experience to my work. This diverse journey has given me a deep understanding of the unique challenges leaders face across industries, especially in high-growth and dynamic environments.
I’ve navigated uncertain career paths, adapted through leadership transitions, and thrived in high-pressure situations. These experiences allow me to genuinely empathise with you. I know firsthand the frustration of being pulled into operational details, managing underperforming teams or working under dysfunctional Leadership Teams. Having “been there,” I offer guidance that’s practical and rooted in reality—not just theory.
I’m committed to helping leaders build cohesive, high-performing teams with a focus on trust, accountability, and open communication.