It's a good idea to take a mental inventory of life every so often to determine where things are going well and where things could improve.
Have you taken a good look at your life recently? Read over the categories listed below and rate your satisfaction level with each area on a scale of 1-10.
-Joy
-Spirituality
-Creativity
-Finances
-Career
-Education
-Health
-Physical activity
-Home Cooking
-Home Environment
-Relationships
-Social life
What were your three lowest rated categories? What needs to change to bring more balance into your life?
Suzanne’s Example
As an example, let’s say Suzanne is a 34 year old mother of two children aged 3 and 7 years. Her 7 year old is in school most of the day, but her 3 year old is still at home with her.
Suzanne’s three lowest-rated categories are creativity, social life, and spirituality. She finds it difficult to find time and a babysitter to go out and socialize, but perhaps Suzanne could join some mommy-and-me groups. If those aren’t her thing, a babysitting co-op could free up some hours in Suzanne’s day.
She used to paint a lot before her children were born, but now she doesn’t get around to it as much. She could boost her creativity score by including her children in her artistic endeavors. Setting out watercolors and making joint activities could bring more balance to her and her children’s creativity.
Suzanne rated her spirituality low because she hasn’t felt like she has learned a lot at church recently. Independent study or preparing church lessons for her children could help raise this score.
Set Goals to Achieve Balance
SMART goals can help someone develop new habits to keep your life balanced and joyful. With your three lowest categories, think about what goals could help you balance that category better.
S is for Specific. Be very specific about what your actions are going to be. “Exercise more” is not specific. “Ride my bike for 30 minutes a day, for at least 5 days a week” is specific.
M is for Measurable. Your goal should be quantifiable. You either completed it, or you didn’t. You rode your bike for 30 minutes today or you did not.
A is for Achievable. If you don’t know how to ride a bike, don’t make riding it for 30 minutes a day your goal. You will fail. Your goal should be something that you can realistically achieve.
R is for Relevant. Why did you set this goal? Is this goal going to better your life in a way that you want it to? If your goal is to get more vitamin D and lower your blood pressure, a bike ride is a great idea.
T is for Time. Does your goal have a period of time attached to it? Riding your bike 5 days a week is your goal, so if you only ride it 4 days in a week-you haven’t quite met your goal.
Benefits of an Accountability Partner
Setting goals is one thing, but staying motivated is a whole different thing. If you had to check in with another person every so often, would you be more likely to achieve your goals?
Knowing that you are going to be asked about your progress might give you a boost in your motivation to follow through with your goals.
Virtual or in-person health coaching visits could be a fantastic way to have an accountability partner help you determine your goals and help follow-up over time.