What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing is a multifaceted concept that encompasses different dimensions. Traditionally, wellbeing has been associated more with physical health, such as maintaining a balanced diet, or exercising regularly. However, in recent years, the understanding of wellbeing has expanded to include mental and emotional health, social relationships, financial stability and a sense of purpose. Each of these elements contributes to overall wellbeing and neglecting any one aspect can lead to an imbalance in our lives.
Define your own wellbeing priorities
Each one of us have our own definition of wellbeing, areas in our life that we would like to focus on. For some, wellbeing might mean prioritising time with family and friends, while for others, it could involve focusing on career growth or personal hobbies. Regular personal reflection is important to help us identify areas of improvement and establish goals that align with our own definition. Understanding your our needs and preferences is key to creating a balanced and satisfying life.
One powerful instrument you can use is the "Wheel of Life exercise" which can serve as a great tool for improving overall life balance. You can easily find templates online or create your own. Start by drawing a circle, which will represent your personal wheel. Think about six to eight key areas of your life that are important to you, such as relationships, social life, career, mental health, family, finances, and physical activity. Write these categories on your wheel diagram. Next, rate how much attention you currently give to each area on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means very little attention and 10 means a lot. Mark these scores along the spokes of your wheel. Finally, connect the marks around the circle to visualise your life and wellbeing balance. This exercise helps you identify which areas may need more focus and attention.
Take action for your wellbeing
Now that you've identified the key areas of wellbeing in your life, take some time to review your results and consider what your ideal scores would be for each area. Some areas may require more attention than others, while you might find that you're investing too much time and effort in certain areas.
Mark your ideal scores on your life wheel and observe the difference between your current scores and your ideal targets. Identify any gaps that need your attention. Select 1-2 priorities to focus on over the next 12 weeks and create a brief action plan to address these gaps. For areas that have been neglected, think about what actions you can start implementing. Equally, consider what activities you can either stop doing or delegate to others. Review and adjust your action plan periodically over the coming months to ensure you're making progress towards achieving your ideal life balance.
