Day 1: Asking the tough questions

In the challenge, we were asked to mark 10 different categories with an indicator as to how big of a priority that particular category should be in our lives. Then, we were asked to indicate where it is currently in our lives. If there was a difference between where we think it should be and where it is, these are the areas we need to focus on. We then have four questions to answer. I'm posting those here along with my answers.

What areas have the biggest imbalance between where you are and where you would like to be ultimately? Why do you think that is?

Nutrition and exercise have the biggest imbalance and I think the reason it has the biggest imbalance is simply because I don’t make them a priority in my life.

Time with my kids also has a big imbalance. Now that I have to be “both” parents, I know that it’s much more important for me to be in my kids’ lives. This is a paradigm shift I never anticipated. I’m not there right now because it’s taken the last few years for me to figure out who the hell I am. I’ve been doing things which will lead me to the career I now need to have and I really feel I’m on a good path now. I need to ‘add’ my kids back into my life.

What systems have you tried in the past?

Franklin Covey

Our stress is normally caused by imbalances in our life. Looking at the chart, what stressor do you realize has been playing a big part in your life? Are you ready and willing to change it?

Mainly the stuff with the kids and although I don’t have a choice but to change it, I realize that I really do want to change it. I’m ready to be more of a parent to my kids.

Are you trying to be Superwoman? How many tens did you mark with red pen? If you have more than three, perhaps you are trying to have it all now. Think through your life again and carefully consider the current “season” of your life. Realize that you can change this sheet in a week, a month, a quarter. Where are your biggest imbalances? As a result which items should be your “10s” for this phase of your life?

I only have one ‘10' marked and that is the relationship with my family. I do have three 8's marked, one is where I want it to be, the other two will be things I will be focusing on in this challenge.