Finding balance in life can be a challenge. Between work, family, friends, and personal responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and pulled in different directions. Do you skip going to the gym to have coffee with a friend? Do you delegate an important presentation to a colleague so you can attend your child’s play? Do you choose to take a high-paying job with long hours now in hopes of building a better, easier future later?

Everyone’s situation and goals are unique, so there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It helps to examine your values, what life stage you’re in right now, and what your goals are for the future, then work out what balance seems appropriate for this particular moment. It can be beneficial to partner with a coach who asks curious questions and shares observations to enable you to break down these large question into digestible, manageable chunks.

One framework my clients appreciate is the SPIRE method from Tal Ben-Shahar, the author of the book Happier. The premise of this model suggests that there are five interconnected facets of our lives:

• Spiritual well-being: What gives you purpose and meaning? What values drive your actions?
• Physical well-being: How do you cultivate positive regard for the body, treating it well and being aware of the innate ability of the body to affect the mind?
• Intellectual well-being: What are the ways you stretch, grow, and challenge the mind by cultivating creativity and fostering the love of learning?
• Relational well-being: How do you contribute to and benefit from the people around you? No less important, what are the ways you foster a healthy relationship with yourself?
• Emotional well-being: How can you increase pleasurable emotions and cultivate resilience to deal with painful emotions?

It also suggests that we can’t focus on one facet and assume that the others will magically take care of themselves. We need to intentionally put the optimal amount of effort into each to achieve the balance we crave.

As your coach, when we talk through your optimal mix, we also build a tailored plan to assist you in successfully focus on the aspects you want to improve. Perhaps one or more of these examples resonates with you?

• Spiritual: We explore your values and beliefs to enable you to connect with a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. By identifying what’s most important to you and aligning your actions with those values, you can feel more fulfilled and connected to something greater than yourself.
• Physical: We create a plan for taking care of your body through exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest. By prioritizing your physical well-being, you’ll have more energy and vitality to tackle the other areas of your life.
• Intellectual: We set goals for learning and growth and I provide accountability and support as you work towards them. By continuing to challenge yourself intellectually, you’ll stay engaged and motivated in your personal and professional pursuits.
• Relational: We identifying areas for improvement in your communication and interpersonal skills to enable you to develop stronger, more meaningful relationships with others. The allows you to create more fulfilling connections with those around you.
• Emotional: We focus on enabling you to develop greater emotional intelligence and self-awareness. By identifying your emotional triggers and learning to regulate your emotions, you can reduce stress and anxiety and feel more in control of your life.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, striving to reach an exhilarating goal, or simply ready for a change, I can provide the support, guidance, and accountability you need to make positive changes and create a more fulfilling life.