Lead through the Storm: Find Balance in a Year That Won't Let Up!

Let’s be honest, 2025 hasn’t exactly come in gently. For many, it’s brought change after change, challenge after challenge; personally, professionally, and everywhere in between. If you're feeling like you're juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle… you’re not alone.

Leaders are especially feeling the squeeze. The pace is relentless, the stakes are high, and the boundaries between work and life…practically vapor. You might not even be working, but I bet you're still thinking about it. And that constant mental load? It takes a toll, on your body, your sleep, your relationships, and your ability to lead effectively.

But here’s the thing: stress doesn't have to own you. You can learn to manage it before it manages you. Here’s how to start making that shift, real strategies, real impact.

Know the Signs: Stress Isn't Always Obvious

Stress doesn’t always scream… it whispers. It shows up as headaches, jaw clenching, tension in your shoulders, a short fuse, trouble focusing, or just feeling wiped out all the time. And because leaders are wired to “push through,” it’s easy to miss those early signs until things spiral. Would you push your way past a surly grizzly bear while out on a mid-afternoon walk just to reach your destination? Certainly not! Not if you have any sense of preservation. When you “push through” stress and overload, you are definitely poking the bear! 

Start by owning it! Stress isn't weakness. It is your body waving a red flag that it is overloaded. Check in with yourself regularly; physically, emotionally, mentally. Do you feel drained every morning? Are you snapping at people over small things? Do you get sick more often? These are signals, not flaws. Recognize them early and take action. The sooner you recognize them, the faster you can address them and reset. Do not ignore stress and give it room to grow.

All right (you say)! I give up! I recognize it. Now what do I do? I am so glad you asked!

Get Real with Your Time

Too much on your plate? You are not alone! But chaos does not have to be your baseline. Make a habit of listing and prioritizing what really needs your attention. Break tasks into steps, set deadlines, and resist the multitasking trap…it’s a myth. One thing at a time. Make progress visible and give yourself credit for it. Tiny wins add up. 

• Daily prioritization. Start your day with a quick 10-minute check-in. Write down what truly needs your attention today. Not everything, just the key moves.
• Break big tasks into small steps. A vague “finish project” is overwhelming. “Draft outline” or “schedule meeting with X” is doable.
• Set realistic timelines. Don’t overschedule your day. Leave breathing room for interruptions (because, oh yes, they will happen).
• Use tools that work for you. Whether it’s a paper planner or a digital tool, find a system that makes organizing easier, not harder, and use it consistently!
• Quit multitasking. Seriously. It slows you down and drains your energy.  Be mindful in how you approach work and recognize when the panic takes over and you try to do "all the things.” Stop, refocus fully on one thing at a time, then move on.

Protect Your Time

Leadership doesn’t mean always being on, being available. If you’re constantly responding to emails at 10 p.m., you’re training people to expect that. Worse, you’re training yourself to never disconnect. Just because you're capable of doing it all doesn’t mean you should.

Proactively block off focus time. Set limits on after-hours work. Ask for help before you're drowning, not after. And sometimes, yes, you’ll need to say no (or at least, “not right now”). Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re survival. Your well-being is not a luxury, it’s a leadership asset.

Set boundaries like:

• Calendar blocks for deep work. Treat it like a meeting. It is non-negotiable focus time.
• Hard stops at the end of the day. Choose a time to shut the laptop and actually shut it. Don’t just shift to the couch with your inbox.
• “No, but...” responses. Can’t take on a task? Offer an alternative: “I can’t take this on today, but I can circle back Friday.”
• Ask for help. Delegation isn’t weakness. It’s strategy!

Boundaries protect your energy so you can lead from a place of clarity and strength, not exhaustion.

Protect Yourself: You Can't Run on Empty

You don’t have to go full yoga-guru. But basic self-care isn’t optional anymore. You’re not a robot. You can’t pour from an empty cup. And honestly? Sleep, food, movement, and hydration are leadership essentials.

Simple habits with big payoff: 

• Get outside. Even a 10-minute walk during lunch boosts energy and focus.
• Don’t skip meals. Speaking of lunch, don’t forget to eat! Fuel your brain. Low blood sugar makes for bad decisions and short tempers.
• Hydrate like it’s your job. Because your brain needs water more than coffee (but yes, coffee’s still allowed).
• Stand and stretch. Sitting all day messes with circulation, posture, and energy. Build in mini movement breaks between meetings.
• Protect your sleep. A consistent sleep routine beats late-night doom-scrolling every time.

You don’t need a full lifestyle overhaul, just enough small shifts to start feeling like yourself again.

Feed Your Mind: Stay Curious and Keep Growing

Do you often feel uninspired or disengaged? That can feed stress as well. Keep learning; not just for skill-building, but for a sense of momentum and meaning. Stay curious. Read. Listen. Ask questions. There’s always something to learn; about your team, your field, or yourself. Growth keeps you grounded. Plus, feeling connected to your purpose can actually help reduce stress.

Try This:

• Read or listen to something new weekly. A podcast episode, an article, a book; whatever sparks curiosity.
• Talk to other leaders. Ask questions. Trade ideas. There’s wisdom in every room; you just have to notice it.
• Take a course or attend a workshop. Stay ahead in your field with professional development, leadership training, or even something totally outside your industry to spark new ideas.
• Learn about your industry, your team, even yourself. Staying connected to the why behind your work can reignite your sense of purpose.
• Engage in reflective journaling. Write down key lessons, leadership challenges, and wins. Self-reflection helps you process and grow.

Growth gives stress less space to take root.

You are Allowed to Care for Yourself

Let me say this again. You are allowed to care for yourself! Leadership doesn’t mean breaking yourself for the job. It is difficult and it asks a lot of you, but you can’t lead well if you’re constantly running on empty. Prioritize yourself. Set boundaries. Stay curious. And remember taking care of yourself isn’t stepping away from leadership. It is how you stay strong enough to keep doing it.

The best leaders lead by example, and that includes showing what healthy, sustainable success looks like. Here’s to strong leadership, steadier minds, and the resilience we build every day.

You’ve got this. Even in 2025.