Leadership Thought #336 – What’s Important In Life?

Leadership Thought #336 – What’s Important In Life?

Occasionally, we need to remind ourselves what’s important in life.

I’ve always thought that the whole concept of work-life balance is a bit of an illusion. It’s difficult for me to imagine someone with a life that is always completely balanced. Things don’t always work out this way. It’s like the idea of a 50/50 partnership or marriage. Rarely do both partners put in the same amount of effort all the time. What you hope is that in the end, it all balances out properly. I view my life in the same way. Occasionally, some things take precedence over others, and that’s okay as long as it doesn’t become a habit. However, we should always pay attention to certain aspects of our lives (to varying degrees as needed). We ignore any of these items in the long term to our detriment:

  • Family – We all have some semblance of a family, and this is usually the bedrock of our existence. The unit can either expand or contract, but it is critical, nonetheless. Everyone needs individuals who embrace us for our true selves and the bonds we share with them. People who have poor family relationships are at a major disadvantage in life.
  • Friendships – I have always believed that life is defined by the quality of your relationships, and outside of your family, there is no more critical component to your happiness than who you decide to spend your social time with. Without exception, cultivate these individuals as positive influences in your life. Remove negative influences as quickly as possible.
  • Health – Many of us don’t think about our health until it becomes an issue; however, many studies have proven that there is a direct correlation between quality of life and health status. The good news is that practicing healthier lifestyle habits is effective and significantly impacts all aspects of life. And, eating irresponsibly only leads down one path.
  • Work – You will spend considerable time working in your life, and not liking what you do is a recipe for unhappiness. Don’t become a slave to a paycheck. Strive to do something meaningful to you and tap into your natural talents and passions. Never work for a company or organization misaligned with your core values.
  • Faith In Something Bigger – Whether you are religious or not, there needs to be some quasi-spiritual force that guides your life. Life will feel meaningless unless it is part of a larger definition of self and helps you understand how you fit into the “big picture” of existence.
  • Charity – No matter where you sit on the socio-economic hierarchy, there will always be those less fortunate than you. Countless studies have proven the importance of giving back and volunteering as a key component of a happy life. Most people who are unhappy spend too much time thinking about themselves and miss innumerable opportunities to help others.
  • Personal Economics – Money can be a source of stress or security. The choice is always up to you. Our financial reality directly reflects how we view the importance of money and material things over other issues.
  • Hobbies – All of us should have something we do for the pure joy of doing it. As we grow older, it’s common to forget about our inner child and the essence of play. If we are not careful, adults become too serious and responsible. Not everything in life must have a deeper agenda than simply enjoying the passage of time.

Sadly, we often sacrifice the important for the unimportant. Life frequently distracts us with roles and responsibilities, and before we realize it, decades have passed. Don’t let this happen to you. Be focused, determined, and intentional about what makes you happy!

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