“You’ve undoubtedly heard the airplane metaphor, “When the oxygen mask deploys, put yours on before trying to help others around you.” But in the workplace, that wise advice often falls on deaf ears. Many of us have been taught that self-care is selfish or narcissistic—even cheesy and that self-sacrifice is the ticket to acceptance and success.

During the 1990s, comedians mocked the notion of self-care and self-affirmations with tongue-in-cheek phrases such as, “I’m smart enough” or “I’m good enough.” Al Franken created and performed the fictional character Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live in a mock self-help show called Daily Affirmations. Years since, otherwise willing participants have steered away from the off-putting idea of building yourself up. In disavowing self-compassion, some career climbers think brutalizing themselves for job missteps and shortcomings is the ticket to course correction. Research shows nothing could be further from the truth. If you stop to think about it, that’s like attacking the fire department when your house is on fire…”

Read the full article on Forbes HERE.