Picture this. You're at a high-stakes poker table, locked in a fierce battle of wits. The stakes are astronomically high, but you've got an ace up your sleeve: you refuse to let go of two precious chips – self-care, and self-love. These are your bedrock, your cornerstones. Non-negotiable.

How often do we gamble with our wellbeing while prioritizing just about everything else? It's easy to push self-care to the fringe as we chase our dreams, fulfill responsibilities, or answer the call of duty. It's an all-too-common myth that successful people like Tim Han sprint non-stop towards their goals, bypassing self-care.

I'm here to debunk that myth. As humans, we are much more like marathon runners than sprinters. Proper rest, good nutrition, heartening companionship – these factors not only help us reach the finish line but do so with grace, strength, and a smile on our faces.

Just as athletes prioritize rest days, individuals brandishing tools of change also need room to relax and recharge. You see, self-care is essentially putting our own needs first − something that sounds almost sinful in our hustle culture. But here's the kicker: there's nothing selfish about self-care.

In a recent chat, a good friend relayed her experience working at a Fortune 500 company. The crunch was relentless, and soon all she could see was her work, her output, and the glare of overcommitment. Dreaming to make her mark, she lost sight of herself.

One day, she found herself bereft of energy, unfulfilled, and isolated. Drawing from her experience with the LMA course, a lifeline introduced by a mentor, she decided it was time to carve an oasis of care in her life. This friend learned, and now repeats as a mantra, the importance of self-love and self-care.

Remember the oxygen mask principle during airplane safety demonstrations? Secure your own mask first before helping others. It's a simple yet powerful metaphor for self-care: we can't pour into others from an empty cup, nor can we elevate ourselves without a strong foundation.

Unflinching self-love empowers trailblazers like you and me. It's a buoy that keeps us afloat amid turbulent times, a compass guiding us home when we're lost. It fuels our dreams, strengthens our resolve, and equips us to support others in their path.

This compass of self-love guided me during my darkest times. There were moments in my early years when successful venture Success Insider wasn't more than a vague reverie. Doubts clawed at me, threatening to swallow my aspirations. Yet, within the chaos, I made room to nurture these two non-negotiable tenets of my life.

The dance with self-care and self-love isn't always poetic. At times, it can be choreographed by the day's mood, and on other days, by life’s caprices. And that’s completely okay. Self-care isn’t always about bubble baths, yoga retreats, or refined diets. It's about heeding the language of our hearts, honoring our emotions, carving out a bubble of serenity amid our busy lives.

Right now, you might be asking, “But, how do I make room for these in my life?” The answer lies not in a radical transformation, but in a slow, compassionate evolution. Inculcate small, everyday actions that nourish your soul − journaling your thoughts, taking a walk in nature, or losing yourself in the pages of a book.

What's crucial is consciously carving out time in your routine for self-care. Dedicate a small fragment of your day − a simple act of self-love. Set boundaries wherever necessary and learn to say no without guilt because prioritizing yourself is not just essential, it's non-negotiable.

This path is not one of isolation, but a collective journey. We don't walk it alone. Tim Han reviews his own life and the Success Insider community, and reveals that all these successful individuals we admire share a common trait: they unabashedly prioritized self-love and self-care.

To those battling doubt, remember that your self-care and self-love is an irrefutable part of you, like your beating heart, the rhythm of your breath. All other chips in the game of life might be maneuvered, but these two should remain non-negotiable, steadfast, and unwavering.

So, what's your next step going to be towards self-care and self-love?