WTF – WHATS THE F that gives your life balance

About 2 years ago I took part in a PhD study of Mindfulness for Entrepreneurs and came to better appreciate that although success comes from almost mindless pursuit of a single goal there is real happiness in balance.

So success seems to be about focus and happiness seems to be about a diversity if interests and outlets, not least because it reduces dependency on one aspect of life.

Dr Alessio Agostinis had a great metaphor: think of life as a pizza and each slice as a different aspect.

I’m interested in understanding colleagues, community, country and cultures. As a change agent I am interested in people’s thoughts and motivations. So, as well as Mindfulness for Entrepreneurs I’ve taken an interest in CBT.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.

It seems to me that both Mindfulness and Cognitive behavioural therapy may be useful when managing change

Once of the CBT ways of tackling anxiety or depression is to increase the amount and diversity of positive experiences and a bit like Dr Alessio Agostinis’ life pizza the idea is to get out and do more (whilst recognising that doing this is a challenge, but essential for personal growth and happiness)

As a project manager and change agent I know simplicity is the key to success so here is my suggestion

Focus – have something that drives you: your job, vocation, beliefs
Friends – make time to see friends
Family – keep in contact with your family
Food – eat good wholesome food
Fitness – do at least 20mins three times a week
Fun – have fun, do something silly to make you smile
Following – follow your interests or hobbies
Freedom – have time “away from it all” to chill
Financial – work to have enough, but not at the expense of the above

So WTF – WHATS THE F that gives your life balance