Ask Aunt B

Dear Aunt B Readers,

Week one of three week series on New Year’s resolutions, here we come. We are going to explore a couple of different perspectives in examining your life and having plans to make the wanted changes you desire in your life..

First: How do you divide your life? What categories do you use? There are many ideas out there about the categories. I have seen it broken down in as little as three and as many as twelve.

This can be as simple as: 1. Personal 2. Professional 3. Relationships.

One of my all time favorite ways is the LifeBook method. Jon and Missy Butcher divide life into 12 categories. They are: Heath and Fitness; Intellectual; Emotional; Spiritual; Character; Love Relationship; Parenting; Social Life; Financial; Career; Quality of Life; Life Vision.

In the Lifebook program you are challenged to examine your beliefs and your desires as well as other things. I would recommend anyone looking into the program. I have found it to be a great framework for life planning.

I believe it is deep introspection into your life that makes or breaks any system you choose. I understand that some don’t want to look that deeply into their lives. Frankly, I don’t understand why. Do you believe that you have control over your life or that it is left up to unknowns? Do you believe that those of us that are more successful than others are just born under lucky stars? Do you believe that those more successful just work harder? I would invite you to reexamine those beliefs.

Personally, I believe it comes down to knowing what you want. Many believe it is selfish to really examine what you desire. I couldn’t disagree more. How can you possibly attain something when you haven’t even flushed out the particulars? Hard work is important. However I am an advocate for hard inspired work that you enjoy. When do you believe you do your best work for yourself, your professional, and your family? When you are pushing and punishing yourself with activities you hate or celebrating work that you enjoy? I understand that you may be in a position that you can’t completely change everything just because Aunt B tells you to do what you love. So I challenge you to figure out what you love, what gives you pleasure and set about putting more of that in your life.

Once you know what you want, study people that have it. Look at the skills you will need to accomplish all you want. Set these skills as your goals or resolutions. Put an accountability person or program in place. Make it fun and do the work to take charge of your life. You won’t regret it.

So do it now or do it later. You are the boss of you. Be a good one.

Love,

Aunt B

If you would like to send Aunt B a question please email your question to news@forneymessenger. com.