My good friend and fellow Mastermind Business Group member, Lynn Giuliani, introduced our Mastermind Group to this concept two years ago. It has been a huge help for me in setting goals. I shared it at the Alabama Soapmakers Convention this year and based on the comments in my post yesterday, attendees liked it. I hope you will find it useful and take the time to fill out your balance wheel to help you set your goals and priorities for 2009.
The excercise is simple.
1. Draw a circle (or if you’re artistically challenged like me, trace a circle)
2. Divide your circle into 6 parts. Try to make them equal.
3. Label them: Financial, Physical, Social, Family, Mental and Spiritual
4. Take a few minutes to decide how you feel about each of these categories in your life. What is your level of satisfaction in each of these areas? Only you can determine what your level of satisfaction is. Your idea of how successful or happy you are will not be the same as your sister’s, neighbor’s or brother’s. That’s okay. This is an exercise just for you and you don’t need to share it with anyone. Shade in your piece of the pie to your level of satisfaction.
5. Cut out your wheel. Does it roll? If it doesn’t roll, think of the area that your wheel is flat in. Is this an area you’d like to see improvement in? Make some goals around it.
Finding the balance in life is a constant negotiation with all six of these areas. Doing this quick and easy exercise will help you determine where to put your energies and focus towards in 2009.
Tomorrow, I’ll write about goal setting and putting your goals into action by creating a vision board.
♥ this idea! 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mary,
I just finished a book a few months ago that had this exercise done as a graph. That graphed method was very useful as well.
I made my wheel today, but in the form of a bar graph/chart (because I am having problems with a circle today, LOL). I will mark in red where I want to be in each category (in order of importance to me), and I will mark in black where I am at today. In a few minutes it will be hanging on the wall next to my calendar. I like it!
you all are so lucky to be so balanced~ I have my wheel~ it looks like it did at ASM~ (like Anne-Maries) ???? My NYR ~ focus on blance more~!
Mary,
My Balance Wheel is hung up right behind my desk. =)
I keep thinking about the balance wheel today! In my opinion, this is a great way to visualize what might seem confusing to think through. I am going to give it a try myself! I may even cut it out and hang it on the wall near my desk. It will be a reminder to stay focused! And as Annie-Marie pointed out, to stay focused on what really matters!
Allyson, I’ve tried to keep a journal off and on over the years and just have never had much luck.
Katw0man, A book is just fine. It’s good to get goals out, and in writing. That’s the first step to keeping yourself accountable. As for perfume books, I’m actually working through a perfumers course right now. If it ends up being good, I’ll let you know.
I do know Glassbaby. They’re sort of a local success story actually but I’ve never met the gal behind the store.
Thanks for chiming in. I’m doing a short and simple goals post on New Year’s Day and I know many people will be inspired by some of your ideas.
PS – My vision exceeds my pocketbook, time and energy as well. =)
I've always wanted & needed to do something like this and never got around to it. With the help of the site, i'll stay on track this year 🙂
Keeping a journal is on my New Years list too 🙂
OMG
i know you did not ask for a book!
i guess the contents were under pressure and needed to escape!
sorry!!!!
Anne-Marie,
Just off the cuff. A brief, unedited version of goals:
1) write a business plan. I have read books that say do NOTHING
before writing business plan. I know they are right, but it was more fun to start creating first.
2) Focus! I am SO creative and SO divergent that it is hard to focus. My vision exceeds my pocket book and time and energy!
3) Prioritize. Goes with focus!
4) Organize. Clutter cramps and stresses my mind. I have made jokes about it but it isn’t funny anymore..:)
5) Read my Bible and pray….every day before everything else or even if not first, last at the end of the day. Read entire book in one year. chronologically, faithfully
6) Sell! Sell Sell Sell! And get Bold Bold Bold!!! Our stuff really is better than BBW and we should be Proud of it!!!!!
7) trademark and insurance. not last or least!
8) Website!!!! mine has been broken for 1 year and it is so aggravating. No $ for webmaster. Along with that is newsletter email marketing plan that integrates with website……
9) take a vacation
10) annihilate debt
11) learn more about the art of perfuming…..any good books I should read?
12) get great packaging at lowest price available
13) continue to improve labeling
14) Sell Sell Sell!!!!! and, be
Bold Bold Bold! our products are at least as good as Bath Junkie or BBW. I went on a spy mission there today in fact, and noticed that Water is primary first ingredient, and then petrolatum!!!!
is 3rd or so. In fact, I barely detected any scent at all.
15) continue to look for GREAT glassware and embellishments.
have you ever seen the beautiful glassware at http://www.glassybaby.com?
I know you would love it because I see you also love beautiful glass.
I have a fascination with beautiful glass. oh, well, someday!
these are not in any order; priority or otherwise.
ok, any more goals and I will be in hospital. especially since my husband is already a contractor, whose office i run, and I am also very involved in church and youth activities. So, no time for gardening this year, I guess!
ok, back to making dinner. had a fun day with my daughter today and did NO work.
Anne Marie, you are a real and true inspiration to me and I read and follow your ideas every single day.
Thank you for putting 150% into everything you do! I hope your Christmas was truly relaxing to you and refreshing to all your relationships!
My daughter tells me to get off blogging now, since our day together is not yet finished…….
I like this and I will make one right away.
Thank you for posting this.
I am going to do this for sure..it is a great visual reminder 🙂
Wow, this is a neat idea!
It is simple – and I want to do it more often next year myself – just to make sure I’m keeping up with what really matters.
This seems so simple yet often not done. A new year is the perfect time to see how these six areas are balancing in my life. Thanks for sharing!