Doing What Matter Most: Insight #2: What are my roles?

Insight #2: What Are My ROLES?

Once you have clarity about your core values, look at where you live your values— in the context of your roles.

We all have many roles we fill.  At the same time, you may be

• a Christian,
• a learner,
• a son,
• a husband,
• a father,
• a brother,
• a minister,
• an employee,
• a counselor,
• a coach,
• a friend,
• a mentor,
• a teacher,
• an employer,

As an employee alone, you may have dozens of roles.  A helpful exercise for another time is to analyze your roles at work and to prioritize them.

But for now, we are looking for the primary roles you currently fill in your LIFE…not just work roles, but the roles where you live out your values today.  List the underlying role, not the specific practice, i.e. you are a father, not a homework tutor.

Finding Equilibrium

You don’t really balance roles; you find an appropriate equilibrium.

You should avoid putting all your time and emphasis on only one role. This is an almost sure way to experience burnout and disappointment.

Examples why not put all your emphasis on one role:

• If you put it all on your job – at some point it won’t be there. Your company gets bought out, or they eliminate your division, or you retire. Then your whole world crumbles.
• If you put it all on your kids – at some point they grow up and move out.
• If you put it on a hobby or pleasure — at some point you are not able financially or physically to do it anymore.

Instead, every week includes multiple (at least three) of your primary roles. Doing this will make your life more enjoyable and productive. It will also help you weather the crisis we all experience in life. I have found including multiple roles in my week was a great help in keeping perspective and enjoying life.

Each week in your weekly review ask yourself:

• What roles did I do this week?
• Did I do them well?
• Are there roles I should have included in my schedule?

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. — Dolly Parton

Work hard, have fun, and make a difference. — Colin Powell

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax. — Mark Black

If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. – Mother Teresa

You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles. – Zig Ziglar

Here is the link to the worksheet:  Insight 2 Roles