An Intentional Approach to Life Balance
Your life is spent in the minutes, hours, and days that are yours. How do you spend that time, and where do you spend that time? Does the way you spend your life seem to mirror your interests, those things that bring you joy, your personal values, and personal relationships? If not, why not?
Life balance means something different to every individual and it is important that you determine what balance appropriately supports your life’s purpose, values, and goals. Healthy individuals have multiple sources of satisfaction. Are you regularly engaging in a variety of activities that bring you satisfaction? This is an opportunity to evaluate what is important to spend time on and what activities you need to diminish in your life.
Healthy individuals have multiple sources of satisfaction. Are you regularly engaging in a variety of activities that bring you satisfaction?
Having a balanced life doesn’t happen by accident. It requires an intentional approach toward one’s life, aimed at achieving a comfort level that an individual desires in all areas that matter to them. It’s next to impossible to move immediately from being a workaholic to having a well-balanced life. Moving in a positive direction is a step-by-step process. It requires personal commitment.
According to an article written by Aditi Shrikant on the website CNBC, one way to give a new habit more staying power is by using a five-stage model of change developed by researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente.
the five-step model of change
The article goes on to describe the five-step model of change:
“1. Precontemplation - At this point, you don't know you want to make a change and don't see yourself doing so in the foreseeable future. You're unaware of how your actions are impacting your life and are more concentrated on "collecting experiences." If you're already looking to make a change, you might have already passed the stage.
2. Contemplation - Here, you start having repeating thoughts about your experiences and what's working for you and what isn't. You might be noticing pros and cons about specific habits. You aren't really feeling the call to action, yet.
3. Preparation - By this stage, you've decided you want to change and you're gathering material and information to help you facilitate that change. For example, if you want to start running, you might go out and get fitted for running shoes. You could call up a friend who has run consistently for a few years and ask how they got started.
4. Action - This marks the beginning of behavioral changes and is probably the stage you associate with change because it's the most visible. "If you've made it all the way to this stage, it takes a whole hell of a lot of mental energy, time, reflection, work, and emotional risk,” writes Katherine Morgan Schafler, a psychotherapist and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control. "No matter what happens next, you have much to be proud of."
5. Maintenance - This stage is crucial and often overlooked. Making the change is only the beginning of the journey. Now you have to sustain the habit. Know that you will regress. You might run three times a week for a month then totally lose motivation for the next month. Remind yourself that regression is not failure and surround yourself with a support system who encourages you to keep going when you slip up.”
Finding Life Balance
At Life and Career Planning LLC, we know that what may appear to be the most intractable challenges to having a more balanced life can be met head-on and overcome. We have seen this in the people we coach and advise. The solution always appears to be that the challenge has to be named and accepted, and then one has to have the courage to take those first steps leading to incremental, positive change.
The solution always appears to be that the challenge has to be named and accepted, and then one has to have the courage to take those first steps leading to incremental, positive change.
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If you would like more information about Life Balance, we recommend reading chapter six of our book Time To Get Real! Having an intentional approach to life balance is one component of the Life and Career Planning Model© featured in the book. This model is the framework for developing your own life and career plan. Should you choose to create your own plan, we suggest that you consider some personal coaching that can help you discern and activate your life’s mission and move you toward the best life and career you deserve. Our coaching fees and services are flexible and meet a broad array of client financial and coaching needs. All Life and Career Planning LLC coaches are experienced and certified in the Life and Career Planning Model© and serve as your accountability partner. To inquire about working with a coach, click here.