Engage your health, energy and stamina to create the vitality and presence you need for powerful conscious leadership. Buddha said "To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."

Some of the most important work I do with business coaching clients is in "clearing the decks". By this I mean creating the space for them to stop for a moment, be present and get clear on what's important to them. To actually get clear on what the impact is that they want to create. Doing this requires doing things to help themselves be as "clear", focused and conscious as possible. One of these things is self-care.

I very often notice a common theme in executive coaching. It's the issue and value of creating the space and the permission for one to engage in self-care. People tend to pass it off as "Not now, later. There are more important things to do." Or, they will say, "My self-care can wait, this can't." Or, they will even more simply feel, "There is no time."

There is always a reason for not engaging in self-care, sometimes even a really good one. Often executive coaching clients are not aware that self-care is an opportunity to create more energy, work/life balance and stronger leadership. The fact of the matter is, self-care is an opportunity.

Unfortunately, it is often not until an effective leader experiences a problem or a life-threatening issue, or witnesses a problem in someone else, that she will pay more attention to her health and personal self-care. Often, it is not until the pain of not doing it gets stronger than the pain of actually engaging it, that she starts to take action.

One of the stakes I hold for business coaching clients, whether they are working with leadership or personal issues, is that this piece must be attended to. Whether it concerns health issues, energy issues, holding boundaries, work/life balance or eliminating tolerations that are sucking their energy, self-care is essential.

It doesn't matter what your agenda, taking the time to honor yourself and give yourself a bit of TLC will help clear the decks for more powerful and effective leadership. Imagine the possibilities.

When we take care of ourselves, eat well, move our bodies, stand tall, breathe, get rest and lead our energy, we can think more clearly, be who we really are and, in a nutshell, show up more powerfully. When we eat junk, stay static, become exhausted and don't manage our energy, we undermine our work/life balance and we are less effective. Period. We walk around on "borrowed energy" in a depleted state, less clear and less focused.

• How can you make your most powerful choices and decisions from a place of exhaustion and depletion?
• How can you show up authentically and powerfully from a place of surviving vs. thriving?

It is essential that we take care of ourselves and our physical and mental energy in order to engage most effectively. Self-care is the self-respect and the fuel that will support and sustain you. Dare to engage in self-care by making a commitment today... and then reap the results of more powerful and effective leadership tomorrow!