I’ve been doing some travel for business these days. Weekly I board a flight, stow my carry on, and plug in my headphones while the flight attendant does their schpeal. On my way to Tulsa this past week, I paid closer attention.

“…In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breath normally. Even if the bag does not inflate, please keep in mind that oxygen is flowing. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others.”

I’ve heard it a million times over but this time, this trip, I realized how that advice connects to so many areas of life. See, on the airplane, helping yourself first inevitably helps others faster. You are calm(er), (more) collected, and you can assist others with a level head because you know you are taken care of. Check it out: this is trueeverywhere. At the office, in your relationships, with family, in traffic, at the gym. Get yourself taken care of first and you create so much space to take care of others.

When I got to a 6am yoga class or take 20 minutes to pay my bills as soon as they arrive or turn up my audiobook and tune out the traffic, I make space for peace and room for others. And I can help others get to that same space.

So, where have you started taking care of yourself first and seen the payoff for others in your life? What change can you make right now to secure your own mask first?