Life in Action
Life is not a fixed, concrete thing, instead it ebbs and flows, organically changing from one moment to the next. So it is useful to have a tool from which to view your state of being on a regular basis. I like to use Pillars of a Balanced Life (developed by Ben Dean, PhD. from MentorCoach, LLC). It provides the opportunity to think through different elements of your life, providing a bit of structure and a guide for a little self reflection. Using a satisfaction scale of 0-10 you can plot the numbers out in this way (bar chart), helping you 'see' how you feel. There ARE other tools which provide similar reflection, but I like Ben's because the visual of a bar chart connects with my brain and helps shift my perspective.
This initial ranking provides a baseline self-evaluation. Once completed it creates an opportunity to explore what’s important, reflect on the holistic picture and acknowledge where growth is most desired. Through an holistic dialogue you can identify successes, discuss desires and leverage strengths.
So what’s the point? Where does this get me? …only by making your satisfaction conscious, only by doing a bit of self-reflecting can you shift your level of living. But here's the real-life twist, there is only so much of you to go around! As energy and attention is focused on one area of life, it is withdrawn from another, causing a wave-like shifting of priorities and satisfaction - all normal and expected. Life is never stagnant but instead always results in a pushing and pulling, a wave of energy and motion. But by being aware of choices and their consequences you can more fully engage and control your journey.
This more conscious living provides greater personal awareness, clarity of experience and an opportunity to make a personal commitment and an action plan to move closer to the desired life. This plan is also not a stagnant thing but instead is in constant motion as choices are made about where energy will be spent. This is life. Own yours!
EXPERIMENT: STOP FOR A MOMENT AND VISUALIZE THESE PILLARS, YOUR RATINGS, AND YOUR IDEAS AS IF IN A WAVE MACHINE.
Life in motion – rocking side to side, up and down – forcing you to make choices – have breakfast with the family or leave early for work to get ahead of traffic; volunteer at the soup kitchen or watch your son’s baseball game; attend a lecture or go for a walk with your husband; go to the gym or catch up on much needed sleep... As you expend energy in one area of your life it draws it from another – just like the wave moves, rolling higher in one area only to bottom out in another. Where is your satisfaction high and where is it in need of attention? How does it all connect?
The Pillars are at once a “point in time” assessment and an interactive visual reminder of the reality of life and the choices that must be made – choices you make every day. But here’s the kicker - you are in charge - you make the rules. What will you choose today?
