How Well Do You Maintain Balance?

If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a tightrope walker, you're not alone. Most of us have so many demands on our time and energy, life can feel like a three-ring circus. Take this quiz to see how well you are meeting responsibilities, while also recognizing and fulfilling personal needs and wants.

True False

[ ] [ ] 1. The only way I can successfully manage my life is to take care of myself physically and emotionally.

[ ] [ ] 2. Nurturing myself enlarges my capacity to help others.

[ ] [ ] 3. I eat healthfully and exercise regularly.

[ ] [ ] 4. I get check-ups, go to the dentist, and take preventative precautions.

[ ] [ ] 5. I set aside personal, quiet time for myself, whether I'm meditating or simply letting my thoughts drift.

[ ] [ ] 6. I experience the gifts of each season: ice skating, sledding, bundled-up beach walks; gardening, hiking, more time outside; camping, swimming, barbeques; harvesting the bounty, gathering wood, spending more time inside.

[ ] [ ] 7. Creativity nurtures me, too. I do what I love, whether that’s cooking, drawing, painting, writing, dancing, singing or another creative pursuit.

[ ] [ ] 8. Reaching out to others enriches my life. I spend quality time with family and friends.

[ ] [ ] 9. Contributing to the world provides connection and purpose, so I give my time, energy and experience where it is most useful.

[ ] [ ] 10. I notice and heed the emotional signals that tell me I'm out of balance: irritability, overwhelm, resentment.

[ ] [ ] 11. If I feel that I’m catching a cold, I realize I may have stressed my immune system with over-activity, so I stop and take care of myself.

[ ] [ ] 12. When I need or want to, I say no to requests for my time.

[ ] [ ] 13. I listen to and honor the requests my body makes for such things as a nap, a walk, green vegetables, hot soup.

[ ] [ ] 14. If I have something planned for myself, I don't just toss that aside when someone makes a request of me.

[ ] [ ] 15. I'm busy, but I find time to do the things I want to do.

[ ] [ ] 16. I'm happy. I regularly experience well-being, contentment, even joy.

If you answered false more often than true, you may want to take a look at the questions to which you answered false and see if you can incorporate something of its message into your life. For example, in number 14, if you find that you do that often, consider why you put your plans aside for someone else. Is it serving your highest good? How could you set better boundaries for yourself?

I like to use the word harmony more than balance because I think there are times when one area of our life does need more attention and energy and that is okay as long as the we feel in harmony with the other areas of our life. For example, I might choose spending more time with my children at some points in my life over building a business. As long as I feel that I have harmony and happiness with that choice, it doesn't have to be balanced. Not all areas of our lives are equally important during every season of our lives.

Using tools and techniques that help you prioritize your life based on your passions and what matters most to you, I can help you find harmony and happiness in every day living. If you want to know more, feel free to schedule a complimentary 30 minute Love Your Life consultation.