Along my fitness journey, I was fortunate enough to come to grips with Balance and how very important it is to the quality of my life. Don’t get me wrong, most days will never be in perfect harmony. However, when I understood a few of the basics, I was able to manage the complexities of life in a much more beneficial manner.
I often talk with people about balance by comparing it to a wheel. Because a wheel is round, it can roll very nicely. If there are bumps in the road, it’s not because of the wheel. Hopefully, the driver can see the bump in the road with plenty of time to change course and still have a reasonably smooth ride. Life is a bit like that, too.
When representing balance as a visual wheel with spokes, specific elements of our lives are assigned to each section of the wheel. Here’s where the ABC’s come in—and not to mislead you—the acronym I use (which is as easy to remember as ABC) is SEMPS. These all-important elements are:
S Social
E Emotional
M Mental
P Physical
S Spiritual
No, I did not come up with this brilliance on my own, but as an eager-to-learn student, I learned the concept from Marq Stankowski, my first mentor. I was a young college student at the time, helping him with documentation for a summer program. I have not forgotten the lessons of these vital aspects of a well-balanced life, and this model has served me well.
I’ve learned that, even though perfect balance at all times is not a reasonable goal, each element is equally important for achieving a satisfying sense of balance. More calm. Less stress. Now more than ever, it’s important for our wellbeing to aim for a reasonable sense of balance. That means adequate fulfillment in each category—not too much or too little in any particular segment.
In my book, No Quick Fixes: A Fitness Journey for the Real World, I wrote about balance and these five key areas of wellness. Here is a quick synopsis of SEMPS:
Social – This segment is a key component to relationships and our social circles with family and friends. Rather than being the lone soldier, we aim for time with the people who matter most and set time aside to socialize and participate in common interests. It’s all about togetherness, which can be especially fun and rewarding on a quest for fitness.
Emotional – This applies to our inner selves—how we see ourselves and how we talk to ourselves. We can often be harder on ourselves than on others, and we need to show a little grace where our weaknesses are concerned. We can also make the most of our strengths without becoming overly egotistical. With a positive attitude, we can make great strides on our fitness journey.
Mental – Our mental capabilities are extraordinary. With our intelligence and a decision to have an open mind, we can learn from our trainers, our bodies and our routines to understand what is helping us the most. Once we know what we’d like to achieve, we can train our brains to serve us well. Our own mental capacity is then our inner support as we learn and grow.
Physical – Some of us focus on our physical wellbeing, and others neglect it. Reasons for neglect can be getting caught up in the busyness of life, not knowing where to start, or being unaware that there could be a better physical state waiting for us. I was truly out of balance in this area before I started my fitness journey, and now, with this element in check, I am healthier and much happier!
Spiritual – The spiritual piece is a very personal component and will mean something different for me than for someone else. It might be a highly organized religious affiliation a strong faith, or a deep connection with an external force. Some people will find balance here through meditation, yoga or other expressions of tranquility. It all helps equalize the whole.
As an example, when someone is struggling to make ends meet with little help from family or friends, she might be working two jobs. This leads to being constantly tired with little time and attention to give to others and even less time for adequate self-care. Being out of balance makes life difficult for us—as well as for those who are part of our lives. Intentionally concentrating on a goal of balance will help find solutions that can improve the situation and provide a greater share of happiness for everyone.
How can we get started on achieving greater balance in our lives? Each person has different circumstances, but here are some ideas that have helped me. They may help you think of even more that would be beneficial for you.
- Draw a circle with the SEMPS wheel notations on a sticky note and place it where you can see it during the day. It will serve as a reminder to treat yourself kindly without ignoring the important elements that will bring you joy. You might want to keep a journal where you jot down ways to be in balance throughout the day or note your progress at the end of each day. If you’re like me, you’ll see patterns and can adjust as you go.
- Remember to give yourself some grace. Not every day will be an ideal model of balance. If we are flexible and focus on improving rather than being perfect, we’ll make amazing progress. I noticed that on days where I was in better balance, I felt a sense of pride and happiness about that day. And—it motivated me to aim for that same feeling the next day!
- I’ve always been a goal-setter. In business, this made sense for me, and on my fitness journey I learned that setting goals worked equally as well. Once I had decided what I wanted and how best to achieve it, I had a goal and could work toward that. When I realized that goals and accountability were a good thing, I experienced even greater results.
Goals can be set for the day, week, month and year. I just had to be conscious of making my goals flexible and achievable. When I could see them, understand them and measure my progress, it was exciting and motivating.
The mystery of balance is simplified when we look at each element of the circle and think about what is most important to us in every section. Then, we can set priorities and goals—and watch our progress—always remembering to give ourselves some grace and flexibility.
I’m supporting you with good wishes for a healthy balance in your life and a peaceful 2020!