7 Steps to Find Balance in 2020
We’re already a few months into 2020 and if you’re like me, you might find yourself shocked at how quickly the year is flying by already. January felt like it stretched on forever, but somehow it’s almost March?!
It’s easy to become discouraged with your goals for the year as the months go on and one excuse leads to the next… That’s life, right? It’s messy and chaotic and things happen that get in the way of our best intentions and most sincere hopes.
If you’re feeling out of balance and not quite where you want to be, but you don’t know how to get back on track, here’s an easy 7-step process to help you clarify your vision and rediscover the best version of you.
Step 1: Create silence and embrace an atmosphere of openness.
Pick a time and space that will help you be present and undistracted. Maybe that’s early in the morning in your backyard, or at night all cozy in your favorite chair. Let yourself be uncomfortable — it’s not always easy to evaluate your life and take an honest look at yourself. Especially if you’re not accustomed to doing this often, you might feel resistance rising inside you. Acknowledge it and let it pass. This is important work you’re doing.
Step 2: Map out your life on paper into 7 categories. (Can you tell 7 is my favorite number?)
It’s helpful to draw a pie chart, a circle divided into 7 segments. Label each segment with one of the following categories:
SPIRITUAL // What do you think about God? Do you believe this is the most important thing about you? How does the thought of a divine presence make you feel? Have you learned to know and accept love? Are you able to show grace to yourself and others? Do you spend intentional time with Jesus daily? Are you growing in wisdom and character?
RELATIONAL // How are your connections with the people in your life? Think of this in three parts — family, friends, and significant other. Do you spend enough time with the people you love? Do you feel safe and accepted by the people who know you best? Are there any toxic relationships you need to reevaluate or even remove from your life? If you have a significant other, do you feel strong in your trust and friendship together? If you don’t have a romantic relationship at this time, do you feel content and wholly satisfied as a single person, knowing your worth doesn’t come from your relationship status?
PHYSICAL // How is your body? As far as it’s within your control, do you feel physically healthy? Is there anything you’ve been ignoring that your body is trying to tell you? Is there anything that feels off-balance or uncomfortable? Are you taking the time to move your body every week, and eat healthy foods that nourish and sustain you? Do you feel beautiful from within? Do you approach your body with love and appreciation?
PROFESSIONAL // How do you spend your time to make money? Is it fulfilling for you? Do you enjoy your current career? Do you feel that you have purpose and significance in your work? Do you need to make any direction shifts, or is there a passion on your heart that’s been calling for you to acknowledge?
FINANCIAL // How do you feel about money? Does it cause you significant stress? Do you pay too much attention to the money in your bank account or not enough? Do you make the amount of money you want to be making? Do you feel free to practice generosity? How can you have a healthy perspective about money?
ADVENTURE // How is the inner child in you? Is it alive and thriving? Do you take time to do things that bring you joy, simply for the purpose of having fun? Do you have hobbies? Do you travel? Do you do things that scare you once in a while? Do you feel that life is overall an enjoyable experience and that every new day is full of light and purpose?
ENVIRONMENT // How do you feel about the place where you live and work? Do you like your city, your community, your neighborhood? Do you feel settled and secure? Do you have solid surroundings? Do you feel at home?
Step 3: Take time to envision each category of your life and think about how satisfied you are in that area.
As you “rate” your life in each category, based on your level of satisfaction, give yourself a score from 1 to 10 (1 being completely unsatisfied, 10 being totally satisfied). This process might take some time. Let yourself go with the flow and give yourself the freedom to be completely honest. The most important thing here is that you are able to see your life through clear, unbiased eyes.
Fill out the segment with your pen or pencil in the pie chart based on its score (for example, if you scored a 5/10 for adventure, fill out that segment only halfway). As you chart visually, it’ll become obvious where you’re strong and where you have room for improvement.
Step 4: Think about what needs to change for you to be more joyful and confident in the categories you want to improve.
Do you need to sign up for a gym membership? Do you need to join a church community? Do you need to go on a solo road trip? Do you need to cut a toxic relationship out of your life? Do you need to ask for a raise at your job, or cut back your hours at work, or start giving money to people in need?
Step 5: Write down one tangible action step you will take this week to move in that direction.
Whatever it is, just write down the first step you need to take to lead you in the direction of joy and freedom in that area. Don’t overwhelm yourself with intangible, vague goals like “be more healthy” or “feel less lonely.” Instead, try “drink 65 ounces of water every day” or “tell myself in the mirror every morning that I am beautiful and loved by God just as I am.”
Step 6: Repeat this process consistently until you start creating habits.
Over time, you’ll see things start to come into balance. After you take the first step and get comfortable with doing something new, just write down the next step you need to take — and the next, and the next… Until at the end of the year, you’ll find yourself in an entirely new place because of those tiny steps, one after the other.
Step 7: Make a standing date with yourself at least once per quarter (if not once per month) to track your progress.
I’m not kidding — this really works! Take time to schedule out several “life assessments” in your calendar and treat them with the same level of commitment that you would if you were having a meeting with your boss (because, well, you ARE the boss of your own life). Each time, reevaluate your level of satisfaction and joy and track your progress in all the areas above.
Give yourself rewards as you achieve your goals and find balance! Don’t be afraid to treat yourself and be proud of yourself for taking this effort to improve your life — as you do so, the ripple will affect everyone around you, and you’ll see beautiful things begin to happen.
Remember, you are capable of great things, and your life has infinite value and meaning. Give yourself a gift and start the process this week — because YOU are worth it!
