Zig Ziglar coined the term “Wheel of Life” to help people create a balanced approach to setting goals in their lives.
The Catalyst Seven are based on Zig’s work and include the following seven elements of human life:
- Spirit – We are spiritual beings living in a temporary physical realm. Making time to connect with the Creator and nurture our spirit is essential.
- Family – Family, whether biological or relational, is hard-wired into every human. Investing time in these critical relationships is critical to finding joy.
- Wellness – Taking care of our mental and physical health will help us make the most of our limited trips around the sun.
- Knowledge – The opportunity to acquire knowledge is a gift that should not be taken lightly. School is not required, but an attitude of curiosity and a desire to be better is.
- Work – This is our impact on humanity. Do work that aligns with your natural gifts and approach it like a craftsman. Leave a lasting legacy with quality work that touches the lives of all who benefit from it.
- Relationships – Humans need each other. Invest in building quality relationships that help you and those around you do what you were created to do.
- Financial – Money is a tool, it is neither good nor bad. Learning to leverage this tool has the ability to benefit you, your family, friends, and many others.
For any wheel to roll smoothly, it needs to be properly aligned and balanced. I recently experienced a tangible example of this. I noticed our car was riding a little rough and assumed the issue was worn tires, but it turned out to be a bent rim. The tires still had plenty of tread on them!
Creating Alignment in Your Life
Alignment begins with knowing the purpose of your life – your why.
Some people innately know what their purpose is, while others struggle to find their purpose. It is different for every person.
One thing I am certain of is that each person was created for a unique purpose. There has never been a person exactly like you, nor will there ever be again. You are on this earth for a reason.
If you are struggling to find your purpose, I recommend Find Your Why by Simon Sinek. This book contains a practical, proven process to help you find your why.
Once you have clarity of purpose, you are ready to begin assigning goals for each component of the Catalyst Seven. Each goal should contribute in some way to helping you live out your purpose. The 90 Day Catalyst goal-setting framework will help you define your goals and work towards them systematically.
Staying Balanced with the Catalyst Seven
Is it possible to live a balanced life?
I believe it is possible and essential if you want to make the most of your time on planet earth.
But, how?
Prioritize your schedule in a way that aligns with your why and what matters most to you.
There will be times in your life when things have to be out of balance for a period. A project at work may require additional hours. An unexpected medical incident may impact your life or a host of other things.
When these situations arise, focus your time and energy on what needs it most. As soon as possible, try to bring your time back to a sustainable balance.
It is possible to live out of balance for short periods. Prolonged imbalance often causes difficulties that could have been avoided.
- Neglecting your health for too long will result in a mind and body that is not performing at optimal levels.
- Failure to prioritize time with family and key people in your life will lead to challenging relationships.
- Operating without a budget often leads to excessive spending and debt.
The key to living a balanced life is learning how to leverage our most valuable asset – time.
Every person gets 168 hours per week – more than enough time to prioritize actions in each core area. It is important to note that being in balance doesn’t necessarily mean equal time dedicated to each element of the Wheel of Life.
For example, spending one hour per week managing your finances may be plenty; whereas, six hours as a personal growth project may be required.
A balanced life is a result of consistently spending the right amount of time in each area of life to fulfill our why.
Like many things, the concept is simple, but challenging to do.
Are Some Catalyst Seven Elements More Important Than Others?
Yes.
I believe the top priorities are spiritual, family, and health. The remaining elements tend to fall into place much easier when enough time and effort are set aside to nourish the top three.
