Step 6 - Create a balance

A happy life should be in balance.– Lillian Gish

Picture a table with seven legs. If one leg is shorter than the rest, it will throw the table off balance. Now imagine if three or four legs are off balance. The table will be even more wobbly and unstable. This is exactly the same with our lives.

We all need to have balance in the seven areas of life - spiritual, family, health, work, social/fun/recreation, personal and financial. We're all different so balance will mean different things to each of us. This is why we have to select the emphasis we place on the different parts. For example, I might place more emphasis on my health than you do, and you might place a bigger emphasis on your social life than I do.

What happens if we get out of balance in just one area? You work too much and don't take care of your health, so your immune system packs in and you get seriously sick. Then, your family life is affected and so are your finances as you can't work for a while. See - that's already four affected areas.

If you liken each of the aspects of your life to a ball, imagine that we're juggling them all the time. If you drop any of the balls, the rubber balls will bounce but the glass ones will break. It is these glass balls that need to be given special attention as they are very difficult to replace once broken. I feel that health and relationships definitely fall into this category.

Balance doesn't mean that you spend equal amounts of time in each of the areas. As long as you spend a sufficient quantity and quality of time in each area, your life will be in balance. So then, balance is maintaining a level of success to your own personal satisfaction in each of your vital areas

Action steps for the month
1. Think about what balance means to you.
2. Identify three areas that you need to address to create a more balanced life.

'Til next time…

Enjoy success
Marcia Francois
Do you want to use this article? You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it: Marcia Francois, the Take Charge coach and professional organiser, coaches people to reach their goals and maximise their potential. She publishes the popular “Take charge of your life” monthly ezine. If you're ready to finally live your dream life, get your FREE subscription now at http://www.takechargesolutions.org/