“If only I could get it all together!”
“I need more hands!”
“I get one thing in order, then something else falls apart!”
Do any of these statements sound familiar? Maybe you have said the very same thing a time or two. It’s not unusual or uncommon to feel overwhelmed by life. Keep in mind, you are not alone. We all have been there and felt that.
So, how do you bring balance into your life? The truth is you will never be completely balanced. There will always be something that needs more of your attention than something else. I like to compare life to a tire. How does your ride feel when your car tire is low on air? It’s probably a bumpy ride while you fight with the steering wheel. The wheel seems to have a mind of its own, causing the car to veer toward the deficient side.
In the wheel of life, you can have a similar experience. The wheel represents these areas: personal growth, significant others, family and friends, health and wellness, money, career, home environment, and fun and leisure.
With this in mind, here’s a self-assessment exercise for you to try. Draw a circle and divide it into 8 pieces, like a pie. On each piece write one area listed above. Then draw 10 smaller circles inside the large circle (like a dart board). These circles represent a scale of 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Next, rate how satisfied you are with each of these 8 areas by shading each labeled pie piece from the center out, with the smallest section representing 0 and the largest 10.
Now, take a good look at your wheel. Is it balanced? Which piece has the least shading? These are the areas that may need more immediate attention. The pieces with more shading may be stronger at the moment. With intentional maintenance and appreciation, the stronger areas can give you the vitality and empowerment you need to focus on what has to be accomplished.
Again, life will never be fully balanced. It’s not perfect, but it can be excellent and enjoyable even during the challenging moments. The results can be rewarding and may include:
- Purpose: Meaningful and rewarding life
- Values: Life-affirming
- Thinking: Clear, focused, and uncluttered
- Mostly positive emotions: Love, joy, excitement, pride, contentment, etc.
- Physical benefits: Healthy, nourished, rested, and relaxed
- Social benefits: Nurturing relationships
- Mindfulness: Present-minded, not past-fixed or future-preoccupied
Be encouraged. You’ve got this thing called life. Keep growing and keep going. It’s a good time to be you!
Peace and Joy,
Coach Angela