Have you made values-based decisions recently? We make these kinds of choices throughout our lives.
• When, where, how, and why will you spend time with family and friends?
• Will you be present for a grandchild’s, niece’s or nephew’s birth or graduation? A funeral of a co-worker or their spouse?
• Does an adult child need your encouragement or support?
• How can you help someone celebrate an accomplishment in your current circumstances, whatever that may be?
• How involved do you want to be with adult children or elderly parents?
• How can you help a close friend in need?
These are all values-based decisions. They impact every-day life, holiday plans, and retirement years. They are easier when we go into them with an attitude of gratitude.
Over the years, I have encouraged you, my reader, to consciously and purposefully look at the balance in your life in regard to these six Life Arenas.
1. Career and Work
2. Health and Wellness
3. Leisure Pursuits
4. Financial Planning
5. Family and Friends
6. Personal Development
To be successful, before and after retirement, you need to find balance in these areas. When you retire, you also need to replace career/work with something meaningful like mentoring, volunteering, starting your own business, or working in another field part-time.
What makes you grateful and gives your life meaning? Studies consistently show that individuals who are thankful on a regular basis are more successful and live longer lives than those who don’t recognize the positive.
What values-based decisions have you made in the following arenas? What do you have to be grateful for because of your choices?
• Career and work value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
• Health and wellness value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
• Leisure pursuits value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
• Financial planning value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
• Family and friends value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
• Personal Development value-based decision _____
I am grateful for _____
If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for, you might want to try these Gratitude Exercises for 3 weeks (the time it takes to learn a new habit). Let your reflections on what you are grateful for help you make wise values-based decisions in the future.