We're often told that self-neglect is a virtue. That to serve others before serving oneself is the noblest of laurels one can wear. Yet in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. If you cannot take a step back to look out for your own best interest, you cannot help others in the first place. Let me emphasize that point again: Your life has value.

Let me tell you a story: I met someone while developing the LMA course, let's call him John. John was a very diligent individual always putting others before himself. His life was an undying devotion to everyone else that, in this process, he neglected himself. He withered away in service to others, failing to recognize that without his health and well-being, his ability to contribute positively to others diminished.

So, ask yourself today, are you John? Are you sacrificing your well-being for others and forgetting to take care of yourself first?

Don't feel guilty for looking out for yourself. I've faced similar dilemmas in my life. Being the founder of the personal development education company Success Insider, I could empathize with John's struggles. When you're deeply passionate about approach, it's easy to indulge so far into it that you lose yourself. But lost in the abyss, you can't create an impact.

Tom Hanks once said, “Self-care is how you take your power back.” Take a moment to contemplate these words—they're not trivial. In the shifting sands of time, remember that you are your own constant. You have the power to pause, reassess, and redefine your path to the way that serves your highest purpose.

Could it be that empowering yourself, investing in your self-care, health, knowledge, and self-improvement, could possibly result in a more profound impact on others?

The LMA course, for instance, was an intense labor of love that I embarked upon. But to navigate that journey productively, I needed to ensure that I was at my best, physically and mentally. Without taking care of my health and spiritual well-being, how could I have dedicated myself to create something that has now empowered countless people?

So, what do you do? Realize the value of taking a step back. A pause doesn't signify a stop—it's a mere interlude in the spectrum of activity. A time to refuel, rejuvenate, and reassess. When you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that it's okay to disengage, relax, and recharge.

Take a moment to reflect on your daily habits. Are they serving you, nourishing you, and empowering you to show up at your best for the people around you? If not, it's time to make amends.

Maya Angelou once beautifully said, “I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side.”

Inner reflection is crucial, but so is action. Develop a daily routine that nourishes your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Exercise, meditate, nurture your mind with enriching books and ideas—encourage growth.

Remember, personal growth isn't selfish—it's a necessity. By working on yourself, you're setting a prime example for others to follow.

In my journey to create Success Insider and the LMA course, I've learned that the best version of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to the world. So, day after day, commit to becoming that version, not for anyone else but for you because, remember, your life has value.

In the grand scheme of things, you are one piece of this highly interconnected web of life. If you forsake taking care of yourself, it affects the whole. So, lean back, breathe, and pay attention to your needs. It's not a luxury—it's a necessity, and your well-being is worth it.

By being the ‘best you,' you're offering the ‘best you' to others too. So, keep striving, keep growing because the world needs more of the true, authentic, and charged-up you. And always remember, the first step in changing the world is changing yourself—this is the essence of personal development and the core value I stand for as Tim Han.