This is something that I just had to put down in ink. It is not meant to be any kind of prescriptive be-all, end-all, or whatever. In my life, I have been influenced by many people. (Mostly Rock and Roll) Many lessons in life under the bridge. Some learned and applied, and some forgotten. I sat down, opened my mind and just poured out what has and still does work for me, and this is the important bit. We all have unique buttons, and are wired up differently. What works for me, may not have the same effect for you, but one thing is for sure. I think life is much to short for a trial and error application. Much better to learn from other peoples mistakes and advice, remembering to always "Check Out Your Guru " before you let your "Guru" check you out. In other words, if you want for example to lose weight, don't go to a fat doctor. I've found I work best with "To Do" lists. Simple lists. Lists in all the six areas of life. Financial, Physical, Family, Spiritual, Social, and Mental. And then work through your lists, crossing the items off one at a time. (Small, bite-size, digestible chunks.) Keep in mind to have 2 different lists. One list of things you have to do, and another of things that could be put off, but must get done.
Success.
Success means different thing to different people. A story I heard was of a wino who found himself a spot under a highway.The combination of the overhead and support gave him a roof, floor and 3 walls. Out of sight from everyone, he was an hour walk away from a burger joint. He could stock up on over the sell-by date burgers for free, and found an old bed. He had the whole day to gather up a few shillings for his liquid requirements, and to enjoy himself. He would say he was successful. What is your ideal, magic wand situation? A great definition I came across is being totally prepared for the future, and balanced in your 6 areas. Lets look at those areas.
Financial.
This is your life balance sheet. Income on the one side, expenses on the other. Make a plan of your ideal life. Your fave car, home, clothing, annual holiday etc. How much would you have to earn ? How much do you earn now ?
Physical.
What do you enjoy doing? Dressing up? Looking good? Surfing? (I mean in the Ocean!) Soccer? Hockey? Pilates? Being fully alert? Are you fit enough to be all that you would want to be?
Family.
Your immediate and extended family. The people you nurture and support. The people in your support base. Are your relationships tight? Loose? Sincere? Loving? What would it be like in your magic wand life? But you must love yourself before you can love others freely. How far have you come?
Spiritual
OK. This would be your integrity. What are you like behind closed doors? When no one can see you, or recognize you? Do you help when you can, or walk away? Do you give back, or take more than you give? Are you at peace with your Gods?
Social
You work hard. How do you play? What are the exciting things you would like to be doing in your free time? Do you enjoy planning your breaks? Save towards them? And then experience them? How do you spend available free time?
Mental
What sort of things would you still like to do? Write a book? Learn a language? Do a Degree? Learn some new skills? Be good at Math? Reading? More articulate? Say less gunners, and more going to's? It's never to late to learn.
Draw a circle, divide into six equal areas, and label as above. Give yourself an honest score with 1 being low, and 10 the way you would be in your ideal lifestyle. Join the dots, and see what chance your wheel of life has of rolling. you do not have to be all tens, but all the same any score would put you in good stead on your way to your future.
I wish you every success।
