by Donald Herman

Created on: April 07, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Balance! It seems to be the perfect concept where any given situation is in complete harmony. The problem is that there are many "given situations" that can impinge on each other and may alter the balance of one of life's segments over another. The key to our personal nirvana then is to establish individual habits that bridge the various aspects of our daily routine. If our life at home is the sole source of our enjoyment, then a major portion of our day is doldrum and a drain on our positive portion. Conversely, if we derive satisfaction from our employment but lack a happy home, we cannot fully focus on our work since thoughts of home will invade our workplace functions.

Finding the positive: The first step in developing a positive life routine is to determine your strengths and weaknesses and which of those might carry the most personal satisfaction. Assess the ability to achieve the goals within a reasonable time frame and without major frustration. There is no sense driving yourself crazy trying to achieve happiness.

Partnering: Many things are better enjoyed in the company of others and provide feedback that is unattainable when going solo. Early morning fishing is a great individual activity; achieving golf's "hole-in-one" alone is rather meaningless. Other things are difficult to achieve alone such as learning a foreign language when no one else knows the meaning. Partnering can also create bonds that will carry across all activities such as a married couple that share similar interests.

Take the plunge: Life is best enjoyed at its fullest. that does not mean running at burn out level but rather that when one feels fulfilled emotionally then life is better. One of the first endeavors should be to establish a health routine that can include a variety of activities, many of which, require little skill. The essence is to maintain and grow with the activity so set reasonable goals that can be reset higher. Taking a leisurely walk can be increased in speed and/or distance. Body building can be started with light weights and increased as one progresses. Some require more skill but can be developed as one progresses as long as the concept of a work in progress remains as a prime focus. Tennis or golf for example always leave room for improvement but the thrill of success is self-propelling. Developing a healthy diet is rewarding in itself since one gains more energy and can be enhanced with the discovery of new styles of cooking or a marvelous new recipe.

Healthy and positive life habits will continue just because they feel good. They feel right mentally and physically and are easily adapted to every aspect of life. The work day is happier when energy levels remain high. Home activities have greater meaning when they are given feedback from significant others and provide excitement beyond normal boundaries. One can never start too soon and it is never too late, to begin habits that will last a lifetime. The key is to make the habits personal choices and that they are realistically tailored to your lifestyle and needs.

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