Yes, help yourself first. Do not start by helping others. Start by helping yourself.

We are all helpers.

You make your living helping others. This is true whether you are a doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer, CEO, secretary, bricklayer, or programmer. It is true whether you work for yourself, for a large or small company, or for the government.

If you don’t help others, you lose your job. If your company or government agency does not help others, it will be gone in five years.

You help others at home. If you are father, mother, daughter, or son, it does not matter. You help others.

Whenever I go on a plane trip, I listen to the person giving the safety advice. One thing she says stands out:

If the oxygen masks drop down, put your own mask on first, and then help the person next to you.

Why does she say that? It’s simple. You can’t help someone else unless you help yourself first.

• Keep yourself in good health.
• Nourish your spirit.
• Read a book you like; see your favorite kind of movie
• Do things that make you happy

Then you will be able to help others, better, longer, and with more joy.

You also will be an example to others, so they will be happier too.

source: Personal Development 101