Wow! It's been nearly 10 months since I last posted here - time to check in for sure!
In the last post - MaXIMIze! - Re-Evaluate - we talked about evaluating and rating our satisfaction in six areas of our lives - career, relationships, physical well-being, financial well-being, spiritual well-being, and overall well-being. I shared that my ratings in those areas at that time were:
Career - 6
Financial Well-Being - 6
Physical Well-Being - 7
Spiritual Well-Being - 7
Overall Well-Being - 7
Relationships - 8
I also stated that any area under an 8 rating probably needs attention, and that I'd be working on the areas of career, financial well-being, and physical well-being this year.
Well, two of the three definitely got attention this year - career and financial well-being.
Since January, I changed jobs (got a promotion) and am back with an agency I spent 19 years with previously. It was a homecoming of sorts for me, and I am in a job that I enjoy - doing work that is meaningful and just challenging enough without over-the-top stress levels. So, my satisfaction rating in the area of career is back up to a solid 8, maybe even close to a 9.
Also since January, my life partner and I bought a house together, so each of our living expenses - at least those related to our abode - are cut in half. So, I have been able to put more funds toward paying off debt - which is a very good thing! My credit rating dropped a bit due to adding the mortgage to the rest of my debt load, but as I pay down (off) my credit debt and bad reports age off my credit report, my credit score will increase - I've already seen this happening since two of my credit cards share this information with their customers on their websites. I have a plan that will allow me to be debt free - other than the mortgage of course - in about 2 1/2 years. So, my satisfaction rating in the area of financial well-being is a solid 7, and will increase as my debt is paid off and I can shift the funds going toward that toward savings instead. Oh, and my savings account is growing as well, since I budget funds for that out of every paycheck. My goal there is $30,000, and I am 10% there right now! As a ratio of savings to debt repayment - I am putting 12% of what I pay toward debt to my savings account.
Physical well-being is where I haven't been as diligent as I could be. Just over a month ago I started faithfully entering my consumption into the health app on my phone. Tracking that, and working to eat healthier and lowering my alcohol consumption, I lost three pounds in a month - I have at least 15 to go, but 3 is a good start! I need to increase my physical activity level to accelerate the process even more. So, my satisfaction rate for the physical well-being area remains at 7 - however, I am making progress in that area, slowly but surely!
So, what I am aiming for in all areas of my life is progress, not perfection. It took time to get where I was, and where I am now, and it will take time to reach the goals I've set for myself in all areas of my life.
By focusing on the positive and tracking progress regularly, I can stay on course, even when setbacks occur. I am thankful that I have reached a place financially where I can pay for car repairs - and car insurance - without resorting to using a credit card or paying monthly payments (in the case of car insurance) - both of which save me money in the long run! I am thankful seeing my credit debt go down month after month, and that I can see a light at the end of the tunnel there. I am thankful that my relationship with money has matured to the point where this is possible!
I am thankful that by tracking my food and drink consumption, I have lost a few pounds,and look forward to losing even more! I am thankful that I am eating healthier and drinking less alcohol.
I know that, by having a plan - and working the plan, I will attain my goals. And that increases my satisfaction ratings in all areas of life!
How are you doing with your goals? How satisfied are you with your life? Where can you see progress and possibly even the light at the end of the tunnel?
Keep moving forward, even through the setbacks. Remember, a setback is a setup for a comeback!
Until next time, Namaste!
