In our quest to uncover the most cherished self-care routines among professionals, we turned to founders and coaches for their personal strategies. From practicing daily gratitude to incorporating sports for mental clarity, discover these diverse self-care rituals that these experts rely on to nurture their mindsets.
Practice Daily Gratitude A gratitude practice is one of the most powerful self-care routines I advise people to follow. This involves taking time each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for, big or small, and ideally writing it down. Gratitude helps ground us in an abundance mindset, which is a great mindset for an entrepreneur. It’s also a powerful antidote to anxiety and a scarcity mindset and helps to bring in more joy day-to-day. - Claire Merrifield, Co-Founder and Medical Director, Selph Embrace Meditation and Social Connections As a psychologist, self-care is essential to maintaining my own mental health and providing quality care to clients. One routine I value is daily meditation and mindfulness practice. Even 10–15 minutes of focused breathing helps reduce stress and increases awareness and empathy. With a clear, centered mindset, I can fully listen to clients and navigate difficult conversations with care and patience. Beyond meditation, staying socially connected is vital. I schedule time each week to call friends, have coffee with colleagues, and engage with my online community. Meaningful interactions with others recharge my motivation and fuel creativity in developing treatment plans. Exercise also plays an important role in self-care. Walking my dog each morning starts my day on an energetic note and provides an opportunity to be outside in nature. On weekends, my husband and I like to go on bike rides or do yoga together. Activities that increase endorphins and flexibility equip me to handle the demands of my job with resilience. A balanced self-care routine has been essential in sustaining a long, fulfilling career helping clients achieve mental wellness. What we do for ourselves directly translates into how we can serve others. Nurturing a healthy mindset and modeling self-care allows me to approach each client with patience, empathy, and sound judgment. My advice is to start small by adding one new habit focused on yourself. - Dr. Elizabeth Barlow, Founder/CEO, Kinder Mind Combine Qigong With Personalized Mentoring One self-care routine I highly value for nurturing my mindset is my practice of Qigong and my meetings with my Human Design mentor.Qigong, with its gentle movements and focused breathing, helps me center myself, clear my mind, and cultivate inner peace. It’s a meditative practice that allows me to connect with my body and energy, reducing stress and enhancing my mental clarity. This routine not only keeps me physically balanced but also promotes emotional well-being, helping me to stay grounded and present. Meeting with my Human Design mentor has been equally transformative. These sessions offer personalized guidance that aligns with my unique design, helping me understand my natural strengths, challenges, and how to navigate life in a way that honors my authentic self. Ironically, being present is my greatest wound, which makes me value my time in Qigong even more! The insights I gain from these meetings provide a deeper understanding of my purpose (helping people heal through sharing their resilient stories) and the best ways to approach decisions and interactions. Together, these practices form a holistic approach to self-care that nurtures my mind, body, and spirit. They empower me to face life’s uncertainties with resilience and clarity, making choices that align with my values and contribute to my personal growth. - Danielle Dahl, Co-Founder, Resilient Stories Mindful Biking With Husky I have a rescue Husky dog, and I bike ride with her every morning in the forest. Not only is it great exercise, but it is also a working meditation of mindfulness, as I clear my mind and just focus on my dog, the forest, nature, and being fully present. It is the one time of day when my mind is most clear. In the last few minutes of our ride, if I do have a thought, it is very insightful and powerful, and something that tends to manifest quickly. Starting off with such a clear and healthy mindset helps me stay conscious, focused, and in flow throughout as much of the rest of the day as possible. - Michele Caron, Life Coach, Founder, MyLifeCoach.com Meditate and Record Daily Wins The two most important self-care routines I use to nurture my mindset are: 1) starting my day with a short meditation to clear my head and settle me into the day, and 2) at the end of the day, writing down a daily win. So often, we move on to the next project without celebrating our efforts and accomplishments. Both of these practices support the development of my growth mindset. - Laura Nguyen, Entrepreneur, Advisor, Certified Executive Coach, Solle Solutions Use Positive Affirmations I highly value positive affirmations as part of my self-care routine to nurture my mindset. Affirmations involve repeating inspiring and empowering sentences, expressions, or words. This practice helps shift the internal dialogue in our minds, which can often be critical and negative, and these thoughts usually surface without our conscious awareness. Research on the influence of self-affirmation suggests that positive affirmations can enhance creativity and insight, particularly in individuals under stress. Engaging in positive affirmations can boost performance, especially in tasks that require associative processing and creativity. By reciting phrases like, “I can learn and develop,” “Nothing is unachievable,” and “I’m proficient,” I can shape my inner dialogue to be more positive and confident. Over time, these confident thoughts reinforce the belief that I can grow and achieve more in my learning journey, which is crucial for personal and professional development. - Adam Klein, Certified Integral Coach® and Managing Director, New Ventures West Unplug on Digital Detox Days One self-care routine I really value for nurturing my mindset is taking “digital detox” days each week. On these days, I unplug from all screens — phones, computers, and TVs — and focus on reconnecting with nature, reading physical books, or diving into creative hobbies like painting or journaling. This time away from constant notifications helps clear my mind and reduces the intake of information. It allows me to recharge and think more freely, which is refreshing. - Azam Mohamed Nisamdeen, Founder, Convert Chat Set Boundaries for Mental Breaks Working 40-plus-hour weeks with monthly travel took a toll on my body. When I returned from travel, I was back to the grind without any real significant rest. The road warrior mentality was the culture. I was struggling to meet deadlines and on the brink of burnout. Saying no was never in my vocabulary. During the holidays, instead of spending time with my family, I was in bed, resting, catching up on sleep, and giving my mind the rest it craved. I felt depleted physically and mentally. Lying there lifeless, I realized this had to change because I was not thriving. The self-care routine that I began to embrace was setting boundaries. It was the first step in creating space for my mental breaks. Taking mini-detox moments during my workday. It was not easy at first because I had to get comfortable with saying NO. Flexing my muscle to say no came with fears about being judged or not being assigned projects consistently. But as I practiced saying no, it allowed me to say yes to the things that I liked, it created space for me to reflect on my professional career growth and development, and helped to build my confidence to advocate for myself. Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Your Choice Coach Foster Authentic Relationships When it comes to nurturing my mindset, the self-care routine I value the most is fostering honest and authentic connections. As a health and wellness coach, I engage in many self-care practices, but the relationships I nurture and give to are invaluable. These connections allow me to see myself from another perspective, hear and be held by the truth, and take radical self-responsibility and ownership. I achieve this through various forms of coaching. I have a lifestyle medicine coach, a business coach, and a few very special friendships. These relationships provide me with the perspective shifts and emotional support necessary to maintain a healthy mindset. It’s essential to seek outside perspectives and to observe yourself more than you identify with your emotions or ego. This process requires a lot of grace, patience, and, perhaps most importantly, a mindset of curiosity. - Katie Carpenter, Health and Wellness Coach, Deliberate Directions Meditation for Present Mindfulness My self-care routine that I value the most is my daily meditation practice, especially when it comes to nurturing my mindset. I began a meditation practice 10 years ago when my mom died tragically. I started small, one minute a day. Gradually, I built up to five and eventually 10+ minutes. I find that it keeps me centered and less reactive. Meditation has helped me be more present, which then allows me to enjoy every moment of life instead of being depressed about the past or anxious about the future. Meditation also gave me the gift of the pause. When something is beginning to upset me, I can take a moment to pause and ask myself if it’s worth being upset over. It gives me a moment to respond instead of react. The pause allows me to feel in control of my emotions and to be more self-aware of how I carry myself in this world. All this helps to nurture and nourish my mindset. - Jalene Szuba, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Happiness Anchor Recharge With Meditation and Family Time My self-care routine centers around recharging and focusing. I prioritize activities like meditation, unplugging, and spending quality time with my family. This allows me to show up as the best version of myself for my clients each day! - Diane Howard, RN and Founder, Esthetic Finesse Maintain Style and Organize Wardrobe Style and organization are two major areas for me that need to be in check in order to nurture my mindset. I try to regularly sort through my wardrobe to remove items I no longer wear and to donate or sell them to make space for new pieces that reflect my current style. Updating your wardrobe seasonally with a few new pieces that excite you can really help to build self-confidence, which is a major component of self-care. I also like to invest in high-quality skincare products tailored to my skin type and to follow a daily routine that includes cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen. Things like regular haircuts can also make a significant difference in your overall appearance and confidence. I also try to incorporate current fashion trends into my wardrobe in a way that feels authentic to myself. It can be fun and healthy to develop a signature look that represents your personal style, as this can become your go-to outfit when you need a confidence boost. It also makes putting yourself together in the mornings that much easier, and you can start your day on a good note. - Josh Bluman, Co-Founder, JJ Suspenders Mindfulness and Personal Growth Activities In my experience, I highly value a self-care routine that includes daily mindfulness practices, regular physical activity, and dedicated time for personal reflection and growth. Starting each day with a meditation session helps me clear my mind, set positive intentions, and cultivate a sense of calm and focus. Incorporating regular exercise, whether it’s yoga, running, or strength training, not only keeps me physically fit but also enhances my mood, reduces stress, and sharpens my mental clarity. Also, I dedicate time each evening for personal reflection and journaling, which allows me to process my thoughts, track my progress, and set goals. I also prioritize reading and continuous learning to stimulate my mind and stay inspired. This comprehensive self-care routine helps me stay grounded, manage stress effectively, and maintain a balanced mindset, which is crucial for making informed decisions and leading my business with confidence and resilience. - Elizabeth Nelson, Founder, Farm Fueled Nutrition Start Day With Morning Walks One self-care routine that I swear by for maintaining a balanced mindset is taking daily walks. Every morning, I spend about 20 minutes walking in my neighborhood or a nearby park. This little bit of exercise and fresh air does wonders for starting my day off right. These walks help clear my mind, reduce stress, and give me a chance to think through my plans for the day. It’s also a great way to get a bit of exercise in, which boosts my energy levels and overall mood. Since I started this routine, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my mental clarity, productivity, and ability to handle stress. It’s a simple habit that has made a huge difference in keeping a positive and resilient mindset. - Bradford Glaser, President & CEO, HRDQ Incorporate Sports for Mental Clarity As a business owner who is heavily involved in sports, I highly value incorporating physical activity into my self-care routine to nurture my mindset. I own a business, and I’m really into sports, which helps me manage not just my health but my mindset as well. When I play sports, it’s not just about getting away from the demands of my work; it also brings a sense of competition into my life in a really positive way. Staying active makes me mentally clear and resilient — two qualities I can’t do without as a leader. It’s like hitting a refresh button, re-energizing me whenever I dive back into work. And let’s not forget how sports teach us discipline and teamwork. These aren’t just good on the field; they’re amazing for business too, creating a spirit of collaboration and healthy competition among my team. By keeping a balance between work and physical health, I stay focused and motivated. This isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for effective leadership. It keeps me, and my team, always moving forward. - Adam Clark, Director, RugbyStuff.com
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Discovering the impact of a well-crafted content strategy, Style My Soul gathered insights from seasoned experts to illustrate its value. From a content cluster that significantly increases landing page traffic to instructional posts that establish authority and trust, explore these compelling examples shared by professionals.
Content Cluster Increases Landing Page Traffic A well-executed content strategy ties business goals to specific campaigns. For example, if you have a well-performing landing page that converts sign-ups into customers, then you might want to get more people to the landing page. Then your content strategy might include a relevant content cluster of 3–4 pieces that lead people to the landing page. Plan that content cluster to be incredibly relevant to your ICP, and as you publish, measure your results. - Jennifer Phillips April, Copywriter and Content Strategist , Write Words Marketing Blog Overhaul Boosts Engagement and Leads A prime example of a well-executed content strategy is our blog overhaul for a client in the health and wellness sector. Initially, their blog was sporadic and unfocused. We decided to implement a structured content calendar, focusing on high-value keywords and customer pain points. I remember personally working on an article about the benefits of a balanced diet, which resonated deeply with our target audience. Within three months, the blog traffic doubled, and we saw a 30% increase in lead generation. This spike was not just in numbers; we received numerous messages from readers thanking us for the actionable advice. This experience underscored the importance of a strategic, well-researched content plan in driving both engagement and conversions. - Vaibhav Kakkar, CEO, Digital Web Solutions Strategic Content Ignites Client Recognition and Growth When we launched Dreamstarters Publishing, I quickly realized the power of a well-executed content strategy. One of our early clients, an entrepreneur with a remarkable story but little online presence, needed a way to stand out. We created a series of blog posts, social media updates, and video content that highlighted his journey and insights. Within months, his engagement skyrocketed, leading to several speaking engagements and a significant increase in his client base. It’s like watching a small flame turn into a roaring fire — focused, consistent content can ignite interest and establish authority in a crowded market. Plus, seeing his face light up when he started getting recognition was the cherry on top! - Mike Fallat, Owner, DreamStarters Publishing How-To Guides Enhance Trust and Industry Leadership Creating a series of how-to guides on our blog was a game-changer. These posts addressed common customer questions and showcased our product’s benefits. Traffic to our website spiked, and engagement rates soared. As customers found real value in our content, trust grew, leading to increased conversions and customer loyalty. This well-executed content strategy not only boosted sales but also solidified our reputation as an industry leader. - Dan Ponomarenko, CEO, Webvizio Hidden Gems Series Elevates Brand and Bookings We focused on a series showcasing hidden gems across Montana. By creating rich, engaging content around these lesser-known locales, we not only boosted our website traffic by 50% but also increased tour bookings by 30%. This strategy not only highlighted the unique value of our offerings but also positioned us as authoritative insiders, deeply connected to Montana’s landscape and culture, significantly enhancing our brand’s appeal and customer engagement. - Chris Hall, Co-Founder, Pocket Montana Sustainable Fashion Content Strategy Lifts Sales Our blog series on sustainable fashion is a great example. We sell environment-friendly clothes and realized that a lot of people value sustainability but are often uninformed. We developed our content strategy to inform customers about sustainable fashion. We made blog posts, videos, and infographics explaining the advantages of eco-friendly materials, showing our ethical manufacturing processes, and guiding readers on how to lead a sustainable lifestyle. We also posted client stories and testimonials to win their hearts. This content was shared on our website, social media platforms, and email newsletters. We followed SEO standards to rank highly on search engine sites, which brought organic traffic from viewers seeking sustainable fashion tips. The results were incredible. Within six months, the number of visitors increased by 50% while their average time on site doubled. More significantly, though, sales went up by almost 30%! - Fahad Khan, Digital Marketing Manager, Ubuy Nigeria Educational Video Attracts Clients and Advocacy Our educational YouTube video, ‘How Long Do I Have to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?’ perfectly demonstrates the value of a well-executed content strategy. By creating a concise, informative video that addresses a pressing question for mesothelioma patients and their families, we were able to provide genuine value to our audience and establish our firm as a trusted resource. The video’s success, with over 21,000 views, highlights the strong demand for this type of content. More importantly, it has made a meaningful difference in the lives of viewers, many of whom have reached out to express their gratitude, and some who have even become clients as a result. This example underscores the power of prioritizing the needs of the audience and delivering content that educates, empowers, and inspires. As we continue to explore new opportunities in video content, such as live Q&A sessions or behind-the-scenes looks at our firm’s work, we remain committed to our core values of empathy, transparency, and service. By consistently creating valuable content that resonates with our audience, we can not only attract more clients but also build a loyal community of advocates who trust us to fight for their rights and well-being. - Johnny Cargill, Marketing Director, The Lanier Law Firm In 2020 I started my first online business and in 2021 I quit my job. As simple as that sounds, I struggled so much with the idea of quitting my job because I’ve been told that I should get a job, work, pay the bills, and retire, this is what everyone else does. I have never heard anyone at home or school discussing starting a business. Nobody tells you to bet on yourself, just get a job where you are told what to do, you have security and it’s less risky than betting on yourself.
You see why I had problems quitting my job. I felt stuck at times and couldn’t understand why, I was doing everything right except unlearning the old ways that would make me question and doubt myself all the time. I had money in my savings to last me a year, I had money coming from my business every month but I was too scared to jump. Life is interesting though and it pushed me, if it wasn’t for that push I don’t know what would have happened because my old limiting beliefs had me stuck on a loop that wasn’t serving me. So how do you undo a lifetime of programming; how do you forget all you’ve ever been told about work? I never wanted to follow what others do, to this day I focus on myself, I focus on what I want at all times. I worked hard on myself to make sure I got off the hamster wheel and let go of my 9–5 mindset. There’s nothing wrong with having a job, I loved learning at all my jobs, and I met amazing people so I think if you are passionate about it do it with all your heart. I was simply done with having a job and I wanted to bet on myself. Below are some tips on how to unlearn what you have been told all your life. 1. Identify what holds you back and let it go. First and foremost you have to identify what it is that holds you back, what specifically have you doubted yourself, challenge your doubts and limiting beliefs by asking yourself is this true? when I have been told this and by whom? Many people that we meet are scared of change because of traumatic events that happened in their lives, like losing a job and not having money to pay for food and bills or other types of failure and they will project their fears onto you, so never take advice from people that you wouldn’t trade life with. Listen to what they say and learn from their mistakes but don’t stay stuck because you are scared. 2. Have a growth mindset. Embrace a growth mindset that will set you free. Many of us tend to believe that it’s impossible to learn the skills we need to start a business, when you are an entrepreneur you are a ’ one-man show’ at least in the beginning and many carry on by themselves, so you pretty much do it all. It’s hard to imagine yourself learning all that, there is a concept called ‘just in time learning’ that teaches the importance of learning everything when you need it, it’s like building a house, you start with the foundation and then putting up the walls and then comes the roof, it’s one step at a time you don’t rush and you certainly don’t put the roof before the walls. The best thing is to learn everything as you need it, one step at a time. 3. Learn from others. Surround yourself with the right people, even if you are alone in your journey, who you listen to, and who you watch, makes a world of difference. Focus on where you are going and follow people that are where you want to be. Join communities where people talk about what you want to do, read books that show you how to do it, learn from positive people, and don’t quit when it’s hard. There is a saying ‘You become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with’. This is so true, don’t waste your time with negative people, with people who don’t have dreams, people who never accomplished anything, because you will become like them and unless you are strong enough to detach from that mentality you will be stuck there with them. When you try to eat healthy but keep cookies in the house, what happens? Eventually, you will eat those cookies, so it’s better not to buy them at the store, same goes for bad influences, better to avoid them altogether. 4. The power of introspection. Learn to reflect on everything you experience, what you learn, what you read and keep yourself in check. Keep yourself at a very high standard in terms of how you react to your environment. We can’t control how others behave but we can control our behaviour, our thoughts and we can therefore create our life the way we want it to be. This narrative that we can’t control our lives is wrong and misleading, we are the creators and not the spectators of our lives. Is it easy? Certainly not. Is it worth it? Definitely. Live with the thought that whatever you want is up to you to get it, nobody owes you anything. Living entitled won’t get you anything other than frustration. We all deserve nice things but society has been built in a way where we have to earn what we want, there are no handouts on your way to greatness when you are all alone and scared. When you bet everything on yourself, people will call you crazy but once you do it they will start asking how you did it. 5. Take action. Nothing speaks louder than action when it comes to changing your mindset, changing your life is not an easy task, so taking consistent action is more important than anything. Knowing is potential power, are you an information ‘hoarder’ or are you an action taker? This also means you have to move forward when you fail, and you have to be flexible in your approach, not everything is supposed to work for everybody. Some things may work for someone but they might not work for you so you have to be flexible and try new things but never stop. I’ve learned more from all the failures I had than from the successes I had — it’s who you become in the process of getting what you want, it’s not only about the destination. Action is the boldness to go after your dreams. It’s about getting up and following your heart every day despite how you feel and how hard it seems. Don’t stop and know that nothing worth having comes easy. Unlearning years of programming is not easy especially when many concepts that are supposed to control us are so subtle, it’s difficult to intercept them, but once you start the change and refuse to stop, it becomes easier. Never forget you can learn from those that have already changed their mindset. There are books and content that can help when it becomes challenging and you feel like giving up. Unlearning is one of the most important steps when you start your journey of changing your mindset, identifying what holds you back, letting go of it, and replacing it can make the difference between staying stuck in a life that is not fulfilling to a life that gives you meaning and purpose. So ask yourself — ‘what do I have to unlearn to move forward in my quest for an amazing life?’ Meet Our Contributor — Cristina Dovan Cristina is a certified life coach who blends her passion for human behavior with her experience in digital entrepreneurship. She embarked on her personal development journey over five years ago and is now devoted to using her insights to help others transform their lives. Cristina’s story is one of growth and change, starting from her academic roots in International Relations to launching her own business in 2020. She lives in Coventry, United Kingdom, and is dedicated to guiding her clients towards realizing their full potential. |