Eureka! I have discovered the secret of a happy and fulfilling life

After years of soul searching, painful breakdowns in relationships and wondering exactly what the perfect balance is for achieving both one's career and life goals, I can honestly say that this week I discovered it!  And the answer, like all revelations, is incredibly straight forward.

You need two things: Personal vision and discipline:

1. Personal vision: you need to know what it is you want to achieve - if you cannot visualize it, then you need to be able to rationalize it. (For example if you choose ‘to be comfortable’ then you can extrapolate that as having enough food, money, free time, friends, companions, hobbies and a fulfilling sex life.)
2. Discipline: You need to follow a strict disciplined routine.

On weekdays you must:

• a).Get up early, at least one hour before you need to in order to fulfill your normal daily duties (work etc). Work for at least one hour on an activity that can enhance your career path. (Social media networking, self study, job applications and/or extra work ‘stretch’ activities that can have a direct influence on your promotional or personal advancement prospects).
• b).Have a light breakfast and go off and do a full days work (in the comfortable frame of mind that due to your early morning effort your career is heading in a good direction).
• c).Comply with your family responsibilities:
• •  i.).Wherever absolutely possible: arrive home at the allotted time to balance your family needs
  • ii).Have supper with your family, allocate some time alone for just you and your partner (if you have one, otherwise a pet).
• d). Invest in your inner-self for at least thirty minutes a day by indulging in the expansion of your intellect or creative senses by listening to, or playing music, reading; non fiction, poetry, studying the visual arts, science, history, classic literature etc.)
• e). Go to sleep not too late, not too over tired, still fresh enough to feel good about yourself and your day.

On weekends: Saturdays:

• a). Get up in time to meet your family duties.
• b). Carry out the necessary open administration, logistics and purchasing tasks.
• c). Invest time with your children and / or partner, friend, pets etc.
• d). In the evening enjoy a little light recreational activities and / or relax with a little wine, good company / conversation etc.

On weekends: Sundays:

• a). Arrange to allocate time so that you can stay in bed as long as possible, simply resting and doing nothing
• b). Later, focus your mind & activities towards the community & broader family issues (for example visiting people that will benefit from or appreciate your company)
• c). End the day surrounded by your nearest and dearest. Quiet family time, (this is the one time of the week that watching television together can be seen as a positive 'shared' activity).
• d). Avoid all alcohol after 20:00, to ensure a good nights sleep in preparation for the week ahead.

Holidays: Ensure you have at least four weeks holiday per year where you set out to avoid completely all thoughts of work, career and progress. At least one week should be spent away alone (or with a friend but not an immediate member of your household). The rest of your allocated holidays should be distributed as appropriately as possible, time with the children or pets and time with one's partner.

There it is - simple! Do this and see where you are in five years time... But whatever you do, during the working week, try and avoid as much as possible the mind numbing effects of alcohol and television, they are the thieves of precious time and (in part) an explanation as to why so many end up feeling so dissatisfied.  

Have a good week

Harley