The idea of prioritizing others first seems natural and the right thing to do.
But when you realize that you can only give what you give to yourself first, you may conclude that you haven’t been giving as much as you were taking from others.
When you try to give something you don’t have, you’ll ironically usually end up taking more. That’s why it’s better first to provide everything in your heart and being that you wish to give to others, to you first, and just then look to provide others.
Some common examples are:
- Parents prioritizing their grown children over their well-being and joy.
- Couples prioritizing their partner over their well-being and joy.
- Employees prioritizing their boss over their well-being and joy.
The concept behind these behaviors is very understandable; they come from good. But when an action comes from good, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are good for you and others.
Your children, partner, or boss will, without doubt, in some way appreciate you, but the effect you expect to cause on them by those actions is the opposite.
People respect and appreciate people who respect and appreciate themselves. People who take care of their joy and well-being, who prioritize themselves, are the ones able to maintain good and healthy relationships with their children, partner, boss, friends, family, etc., because they can share with them those great qualities they have for themselves.
Three simple steps to start prioritizing yourself:
- Identify in what areas of your life you’re putting others first.
- Swift perspective: Realize that putting others first is not healthy for any of the parties.
- Start putting yourself first, and as a result, become a better quality person, who’s able to maintain good and healthy relationships with others.
Take care of yourself before taking care of others. You cannot give what you don’t have. Prioritizing yourself is the correct, natural, and healthy way of engaging with others and living life in general.
