The most important relationship in life is the relationship you have with yourself.
How we define “quality” is personal. Some quality of life indicators are universal and some are unique, dependent on values and intentions – what’s important to you and what you want.
Coming up with key performance indicators is a creative process of personal values development that develops self-awareness and personal empowerment.
Nationally, since 1996, the Conference Board of Canada measures Canada’s performance annually to determine the quality of life of Canadians compared with 16 other nations, and to assess the nation’s sustainability in six key areas:
- Economy
- Health and Wellness
- Society
- Innovation
- Education and Skills
- Environment
The annual benchmarking exercise sheds light on what Canada, as a nation, can do to sustain quality of life of its citizens and identifies what should be avoided.
The Quality of Life Research Unit, Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto, in 1997, defined Quality of Life as the degree to which an individual can enjoy the important possibilities of their lives based on three major areas:
- Being, reflects “who the individual is” with physical, psychological and spiritual components
- Belonging, involves people’s relationship with their physical, social and community environments; and
- Becoming, involves the individual’s activities to achieve individual goals, hopes and aspirations.
How you define your success and determine quality of life will be unique to you, whatever stage of life you are in. These two references provide some guidance to inform the framework for your own quality of life assessment.
At Kaizen Leadership Institute we recognize Quality Life Planning as a Dynamic Self Empowerment Process that starts with a personal life satisfaction assessment.
The initial assessment phase helps clarify what is working for you and creates awareness that lets you:
- Identify energy gains and drains
- Know what’s most important to them
- Guide your decision-making process
- Develop effective strategies and action plans
- Define their priorities
- Identify opportunities
The process can be challenging to do by yourself and is best achieved when supported by a co-creative, objective and compassionate thought partner and skilled coach. The Kaizen coaching model of A.C.T. Assess your situation and accept your reality; Consider your options and Choose, and Take Action translates to the following client experience:
Making the time and sustaining the necessary focus to clarify your wishes, hopes, dreams and goals; identify obstacles, fears and resistance is tough work – not at all easy to do on your own.
Sometimes, a simple shift in perspective can facilitate insight and awareness that opens up new possibilities for better choice making. “Managing Energy Not Time”, one of our popular personal development seminars is a case in point.
To learn more about how to design a Quality Life, contact us.
Check out our events for upcoming workshops and seminars.
About Julia von Flotow
