Diary of a CEO

Diary of a CEO — Entry 6

On Self-Care, Perspective, and Not Losing Yourself

Today I was reminded that ambition, when left unchecked, can quietly consume the very person it’s meant to elevate.

There was a time when I believed that working harder, longer, and sacrificing everything else was the only way to build something meaningful. And yes, commitment matters. Obsession, even. But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are beyond the work—and more importantly, who you’re doing the work for.

The truth is this: a business can’t be healthy if the person leading it isn’t.

Self-care isn’t a luxury or a reward for success; it’s a prerequisite. Your health, both physical and mental, is the foundation everything else rests on. No deal, no launch, no milestone is worth burning yourself out to the point where you’re no longer present, creative, or fulfilled. Rest sharpens judgment. Balance sustains momentum.

I’m learning to make space again—space for movement, for stillness, for proper meals, for sleep without guilt. I’m learning that stepping away doesn’t mean falling behind; often, it’s how clarity returns.

Just as important is remembering the people who were there long before the titles, the projects, and the pressure. Friends who keep you grounded. Family who remind you of who you were before the world asked so much of you. Moments of laughter, shared meals, unplanned fun—these aren’t distractions from the mission. They are the mission.

Success means very little if you reach it alone, exhausted, and disconnected from yourself.

So today’s note to myself is simple: protect your energy, guard your health, and don’t confuse constant motion with progress. Build the company, yes—but don’t forget to build a life you actually want to live inside of.

That balance isn’t weakness.

It’s leadership