Balancing life is tricky and is something most of us are actively trying to achieve. Rather than the constant juggle between the different areas in our lives, we’re trying to balance it and make sacrifices at our own choosing—including the choice to change careers.
If we’re all honest with ourselves, many would agree that finding the balance between the different areas in our lives takes practice. One interesting tool to help evaluate and experiment with the balance in your life is called Four Circles. Created by Total Leadership, Four Circles is a tool that helps people evaluate the different areas in their lives, compare them, and experiment with different ways to find more balance and compatibility between the different areas.
Created by Stew Friedman in 1984, Four Circles evaluates the main areas of a person’s life that includes work, home, community, and private self. By using the tool, people can evaluate these four areas by comparing the size and position of each circle. Ideally, by examining each of the four circles, people can create goals and experiment with each area to create mutual value among all of them.
Here’s an overview of how Four Circles by Total Leadership works:
- Step One: You create your personal Four Circles picture. Together, the circles must equal 100 percent. You add or decrease the value of each circle based on what is most important to you. Then you move each of your circles in relation to how compatible each of them are, with closer and overlapping circles being more compatible than circles not touching.
- Step Two: Now you view your completed Four Circles picture and reflect on its meaning. Are there areas of your life that you want to increase or decrease? Perhaps you need to make certain areas more compatible with each other to find work-life balance.
- Step Three: Now that you know where you want to change, you set goals for yourself that will help you achieve your ideal Four Circles picture. These goals will help you resize the different areas of your life and also work to make them more compatible.
- Step Four: This step is optional, as you do not have to share with others. However, you may share your Four Circles picture and thoughts through social media or email with those you would like feedback or advice from.
Through the Four Circles tool, balancing life can turn something abstract into something more visual with concrete goals. You can assess your four domains to figure out if they are in harmony or conflict, then address the problem areas. Rather than continuing to juggle the different areas, you can balance and make them more compatible with clear, direct, and actionable goals.
Looking to change careers? Start your job search here!
photo credit: thinkstockphotos.com
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