Around the holidays, we often take time to reflect on where we are in life.  Our wheels often are spinning.  Is our life balanced and heading in the right direction, or are we scattered and torn and not able to see much light at the end of the tunnel?  For our lives to be successful overall we must address each “spoke” of the “Wheel of Life.”  Named by Zig Ziglar, the “Wheel of Life” refers to the seven spokes that represent each area of our lives… career, family, financial, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual.  If you do nothing in an area or two, you will have an unbalanced life or a “flat tire.” *

It is common for each of us to see two or three areas on the “Wheel” that we are naturally very good at; however, there will also be two or three that we may go to extremes to avoid.  To be successful in life, we need to be intentional about putting forth effort in every area of our lives.

Before the new year starts, sit down and carefully and intentionally write down goals in each of the seven areas.  If you are very social but hate the physical part of life, or love time with family but finances drive you crazy, you can’t just skip the tough stuff.  Discipline and balance are key!

Establish goals that work; they are not dreams or wishes.  Begin to take steps that can make your life come alive and your dreams come true.  To do that, you must set goals that are:

  1. Specific.  They cannot be vague.
  2. Measurable.  “I want to lose weight” isn’t good enough.  “I want to lose 30 pounds” is a good start.  Put it out there on your mirror.  Track it.
  3. Given a Time Limit.  This will allow you to break goals down into bite-sized pieces.  “I want to lose 30 pounds in six months” allows you to break it down to five pounds a month or about one pound per week.  This will let you know that you are or are not in line to meet your goal.
  4. Your Goals.  “My doctor (or spouse) says I need to lose 30 pounds” won’t do it.  If you don’t own the goal that came from your dream, you won’t have the fortitude to persevere when the going gets tough.  And obstacles will come – chocolate, birthday cake, holidays, too tired to exercise, etc.  Anyone who wins in life has to learn to push through and overcome obstacles…lots of them.  You must own it; you have to care about the end results.  When you do, you will work hard all the way through to accomplish your goal.
  5. In writing.  This is where almost everyone falls short.  It has been stated that 93% of people never write down their goals.   The result is almost no one wins.  Winners dream big, have written goals, and develop the discipline to achieve them.  It is almost impossible to attain a big goal without a well thought out, written goal.

In Habakkuk 2:2, it says, “Write the vision and make it plain…”  Good advice then, great advice in today’s complicated world.

Accountability is key.  If you are married, sit down with your spouse and make goals individually as well as together.  Encourage one another and hold each other accountable.  If you are single, find a trusted friend, family member, or co-worker who will encourage you and hold you accountable to your progress.

At AGRI-SEARCH, to help us monitor the balance of our lives, every team member annually completes a simple “Wheel of Life” sheet with their goals in the seven categories.  We encourage you, your family and your business teammates to do the same.  It can be life changing.

Written by Dave Allen

*Thanks to Dave Ramsey, his radio program, and “EntreLeadership” book for much of this “Wheel of Life” information.