I conclude this blog series on “doing what matters most” by emphasizing the importance of maintaining wellness across four key spheres of living: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual.
I’ve been blogging about these spheres for more than five years, and describe them at length in my book, The 4 Spheres of Intentional Living. I think that consistent, mindful practice of these spheres gives us the capacity and energy to stay focused and resilient, while going after the goals that are crucial to our most valued personal and professional roles.
Physical: Our energy, vitality, and confidence are intricately linked to how we eat, how we exercise, and how much we rest. It’s really that simple, and that’s no way to circumnavigate around establishing good habits. The people I know who are most successful in their personal and professional lives also happen to take care of themselves.
Intellectual: Are you a lifelong learner? In Zen practice, the “beginner’s mind” is highly praised as an ongoing disposition toward staying humble and curious, never believing that one has topped out in their expertise. Constant learning and development of intellectual acumen will only increase your strategic focus on key goals and your execution toward results.
Emotional: Our emotions can be our own worst enemies. Take an honest inventory of your typical emotional reactions under stress, fear, or disappointment. Are you able to pause and reflect, even if for a moment, before responding to negative energies or circumstances around you? Emotional resiliency is a non-negotiable for doggedly achieving the things that matter the most.
Spiritual: I’ve recently done a whole blog series on “progressive mindfulness practices.” These habits create more internal peace and clarity, dovetailing nicely with emotional intelligence and helping to enhance intellectual hunger as well. They’re also good for physical health, especially regarding chakra awareness and breathing. Everything connects and reinforces across the four spheres!
As we stay well, we stay productive. If you take care of yourself, you take care of what matters the most.
I hope these five parts have been helpful to you! Please let me know. Thanks for reading.
Growing Your Strengths
I’m a Nashville-based writer, talent strategist, and certified executive coach. On this website, I primarily write stories featuring a diverse group of professionals whose examples of applying mindfulness, learning agility, and storytelling will help you love your career and enhance your quality of life.
These characters face familiar pain points: nonstop change, accelerating economic and technological disruption, and the collective “noise” that grows louder each day. The impact, for these professionals and for many of us, has been confusion, distraction, and stress.
Until, however, each of these individuals chooses to do something new: practicing mindfulness, learning agility, and storytelling habits, and growing them into strengths…strengths that respond to change rather than just react.
Strengths that you can develop as well.
Don’t settle for the confusion, distraction, and stress. You’re stronger than that, and capable of much more.
Choose to do something new. Today. Start with this post, check out my books, and join our learning community to receive free, exclusive content via email each month with timely guidance on applying mindfulness, learning agility, and storytelling.
