A Well Balanced Life

In my opinion, we should live a well-balanced life in terms of activities we pursue.  Putting on my management consultant hat, I believe that these activities can be classified into four boxes, two for intellectual activities and two for physical. This is shown graphically below.

I have shown some examples of activities in each box.  Now, you can argue that some of the examples are incorrect. For example, writing should be a right brain activity and entertainment like dancing is really a high energy activity. You can also take an exception to the titles of the boxes. I am OK with all that, because the main point I want to make does not depend on precise classification or labeling.

What I find interesting in this structure is that most of us spend time in a couple of boxes and need to have discipline (and sometimes courage) to move to the other ones.

For example, many of us---the analytical engineering types---spend most of our time doing the left brain and low energy activities. We need discipline to get into the right brain and high energy activities. On the other hand, most artist types spend their time in right brain and low energy activities. For them it would require discipline to shift left on the top boxes, and right in the bottom ones. Once again, I am providing an opening for arguments, especially from my type of left brained people. But I hope you do agree that we, left to ourselves, have some preferential boxes and would need an effort to move into the others.

From my own experience in moving to the right boxes, I can tell you that the effort is worth it. Over the years, I have learned to appreciate and even participate in the right brain activities and have tried to remain physically fit.  Doing so opens up a whole new world of possibilities and even allows me the perform activities in my comfort zone more effectively. Overall, it makes me feel that I am living a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Now that I have the luxury to establish my own structure for the day, I do so by dividing it into activities that touch all four boxes. Sometimes, say on Friday evenings, I combine these by multi-tasking---reading economist and listening to music on my iPad, while at the same time sipping a good Bourbon. I call this a “left brain, right brain, and no-brain” combo.

Try it.