How’s it going? What’s up? How are you?

8 weeks ago, I wondered how you would respond to that simple test of well-being. The “how are you?” question usually generates one of four responses: “I’m not well.” ”I’m ok.”  “I’m good!” or “I’m great!”

Those responses indicate, respectively, whether you are struggling, subsisting, satisfied or soaring. I suggested in that first blog that there are 6 Life Factors that play into your “how are you?” reply. I have spent the past two months exploring those factors. Here they are again with links to each article.

Your physical health

Your inner world

Your relationships

Your sense of order

Your finances

Your purpose

I will quote one of my favorite You Tube vloggers…”So now you know!” If you’ve paid any attention to what I’ve written lately, you should realize just how things really are in your life.

Now what?

Let me take a wild guess that you’d like to flip the script or change the storyline of your well-being. Don’t we all? Soooooo…where do we go and what do we do to move from merely subsisting to satisfied? This is what I will try to answer over the rest of the summer.

Here is a simple playbook for increasing your well-being.

Step 1 – Assess

Step 2 – Dream

Step 3 – Set goals

Step 4 – Plan actions

Simple. It has to be simple, or I won’t do it. You too?

Any personal strategy I design for myself has to be simple but inspire me and be doable – all at the same time. I hope that what I lay out is and does all those things! So, crossing my fingers…here we go. The first move you need to make in forming your personal well-being strategy is a good long look in the mirror.

Step 1 – Assess

Get a notebook and pen or open your laptop or get out your phone or do whatever you have to do to take some notes and start writing as you honestly evaluate the condition of your life. Again, don’t just read this list…take notes, record your thoughts, document your self-assessment. I’m going to get you started with a few key questions for each of the six life factors.

• Your Health
  • Do you have any chronic health concerns?
  • What is the state of your fitness?
  • Are you OK with your weight and physique?
• Your Inner World
  • What is the state of your anxiety?
  • What is the state of your sadness?
  • What is the state of your faith?
  • Are you still learning and growing?
• The Order of your Life
  • How is your work-life balance?
  • What is the condition of your home and office?
  • Are you scattered or focused?
  • What is your level of procrastination?
• Your Relationships
  • Do you have any relationships that are out of sorts?
  • Are you getting enough time with the people you love?
  • Do you have friends who reach out to you?
  • Who are your people?
• Your Finances
  • Do you spend more than you make?
  • Do you have contingency funds for an emergency?
  • Do you have savings?
  • Are you able to be generous with your giving?
• Your Purpose/Work
  • Are you happy at your job?
  • Are you good at what you do?
  • Do you understand your purpose or calling in this world?
  • Does your work have meaning?

These questions are just to prime the pump. Go deeper. Be truthful and don’t kid yourself. “The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.” — David Goggins, Navy Seal and ultramarathoner

So, start talking to yourself.  Assess. Gauge. Measure. You have to know where you are weak before you can plan to get strong.

And when you have a good feel for the real state of your well-being you can begin to dream. I’ll help you do just that in my next blog and newsletter.

Be honest! Be well!