Many of us are conditioned to put other’s needs before own – this is learned from those around us and often reinforced by a culture that rewards ‘selflessness’ and punishes ‘selfishness.’

I’m not arguing that being concerned about other’s needs (and even putting these needs before our own at times) is somehow bad. Actually the decision to be ‘selfless’ is in many ways uniquely human. While high concern for others is admirable and no doubt beneficial, we’ll never be able to deliver our full potential without high concern FIRST for ourselves.

To give OTHERS our best we must first discover ways to be OUR best — day-to-day and moment-to-moment.

How often do you find yourself trying to first take care of those around you? Nourishing them first? Comforting them first? Motivating them first? Teaching them first. Solving their problems first?

Before you can nourish you must be nourished. Before you can comfort you must feel comforted. Before you can motivate you must be motivated. Before you can teach you must learn. Before you can solve others’ problems you must solve your own.

One of the better ways to convey this idea of putting ourselves first is the experience we’ve all had when boarding an airplane. Before takeoff you’re told to “put your own mask on first” BEFORE “assisting children or other passengers.” The reason for this advice is clear: if you don’t first take care of yourself, you put both you and the other person you’re trying to help in danger.

Those that depend on you need you to put on their oxygen mask. If you don’t, they won’t make it. How will this happen if you’re passed out from oxygen deprivation because it wouldn’t ‘look good’ if others saw you putting yours’ on first or because of what you tell yourself you’re ‘supposed to’ do? Focusing on others before first taking care of yourself, ironically, may do them more harm than good.

Your best doesn’t come when your mind and body are starving for oxygen. ‘Put YOU first’ today and discover ways to BE your best so that you can deliver better results for those around you. The point isn’t to take 3 hours putting on your oxygen mask. It’s about finding fast, effective ways to meet your needs first so that you can be in the best place physically, mentally, and emotionally to deliver for those that depend on you.