How would you rate the quality of your life? Quality of life is very important to me. While “quality” is subjective, it is still the standard we place on ourselves for what we consider the best life. By my standards, my quality used to be a 7 or 8. I have worked very hard this past year to make it a 9. I want to have a balanced life that feeds my body, mind and soul. I have had this old magnet on my filing cabinet for at least 30 years. The other day, I gave it a really good look. It pretty much sums up what I have been trying to achieve. It says, “Instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t, I give myself ways how I can.” By making and tracking my achievement of monthly life goals, I am on my way to a well-balanced level 10 life.
What does my level 10 life look like? Nourishing my body through health and fitness is the cornerstone of my level 10. Each month I work on three attainable goals. Goal #1 is to workout 30 times each month. These workouts may consist of 30 minutes of yoga, aerobics, my stationary bike or walking. Goal #2 is to maintain my current weight. I weigh myself daily to monitor how I am doing. Goal #3 is to eat three healthy meals every day and stay within my calorie count.
I nourish my mind in the same manner. Goal #1 is to keep a journal and write in it every week. I fill it with my thoughts and hopes. Goal #2 is to read daily. This lets me feed information calories to my brain. Goal #3 is to continue to learn via on-line courses, groups or other’s blogs.
I spend time nourishing my soul because mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing. Goal #1 is to sit and meditate for about 15 minutes each day. I may read from a meditation booklet or just think about things. Goal #2 is to listen to music that moves me as often as I can. I really do consider music food for my soul. Goal #3 is to practice a random act of kindness at least once a month. Sometimes it is simply helping out a stranger.
We have been married for almost 51 years but I still work daily at making sure our marriage remains strong. Goal #1 is to have a meaningful conversation with my husband every single day. I do believe communication is a key to a good marriage and in this day and age it is so easy to get busy and take the other person for granted. I am guilty of this and really have to work on this goal. Goal #2 is to fix my husband his favorite foods at least once a week. Goal #3 is to set aside time each week to do something special together with no distractions.
Nurturing my relationships with family and friends improves my level 10 life. We live three hours away from our youngest children and at least five hours from our two oldest children. Our dearest friends live 1300 miles from us. However, distance does not prevent us from keeping these relationships strong. Goal #1 is to phone each of our children at least twice a month, (I must admit I text them more often) and visit them each at least once a month. Goal #2 is to send out one of my handmade birthday or anniversary cards to each of our children, grandchildren and friends when these occasions arrive. Goal #3 is to visit our best friends at least once a year. We cherish this time together. I can’t wait to see them later this month.
For me, a level 10 life is about doing. I am afraid my husband and I are prone to getting that rambling fever. We are adventurous people and like to see where life will take us. Goal #1 is to travel when and where we can. This time of year, we have headed to warmer weather. In the summer it usually involves camping and travel. Goal #2 is to find different places that we have never been to and see what they have to offer. Goal #3 is to do something spontaneous at least once a week. I am a planner so this goal is fun.
Finally, a level 10 life for me is a life of simplicity and satisfaction. It is time to get rid of things I no longer need. Goal #1 is to replace a negative thought with a positive memory at least once a week. Goal #2 is to donate or recycle at least two items per week as I de-clutter. Goal #3 is to find a new quote on simplicity each month. This month’s quote is by John Maeda. He says, “Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” This is great food for thought.
Having a level 10 life is all about balance. It means having short term attainable goals. It is about nourishing your body, mind, soul and relationships. For me, it is all about leading a mindful life and a life of purpose.
How motivated are you to make the positive changes in your life to make it a level 10? On a scale of 1-5, are you completely unmotivated, some what motivated, have a stable level of motivation, working towards your goals or completely motivated and ready to blast off? Think about where you are today and where you would like to be a year from now. A beautiful quote from Billy Cox says it all. “Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.” What does your level 10 life look like?
As always, “Don’t save today for tomorrow.”
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Very inspiring. It really makes you evaluate your life ideals. Congratulations as well on your 51 years.
You certainly have a plan to achieve that Level 10 life! Congratulations on almost 51 years of marriage and for finding a way to make life rich with experience, wisdom and tremendous memories!
Great article. I love finding ways to make life a bit better.
love this phrase and am going to start using it!
Thank you for the tips!
Great inspiration wrapped up in a wonderful post.
It sounds like you have a wonderful point of view and have created a fabulous way to craft the life you want!
I love this post! Life is what you make of it. if we strive to do our best and be happy, we are bound to live a 10.
Quality of life is so important. I particularly like this statement, “…making and tracking my achievement of monthly life goals…” I think it is important to ‘journal’ your achievements whether big or small and even if you didn’t have the goal originally!
Wow, I loved this. I think you and I would get along well. I have such similar goals. And I LOVE that quote … Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone. That’s exactly right. I appreciated this post very much and look forward to more! 😊
I think your goals are great! Thank you for sharing how you balance your daily life
We love this and would have never thought about achieving some of the things you do. Here’s to wishing you many more happy years together!
It’s great to see how you have making a meaningful life.
I really love this. Seeing the photo of you and your husband 50 years side by side was very inspiring!!
Lovely goals – I hope you have a lot of wonderful phone conversations!
I love these ideas for goals, especially the ones about marriage and nourishing the mind!
Wow great for you! It’s so inspiring to see you live such a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle 🥰
Your post is very inspiring. Everyone should be aspiring for a 10!
Striving for a 10! Great tips for the process!
Love this! I want to aim for a 10 as well! Great tips!
I’m a reader also! I wish I had time for more than 15 minutes a day
I feel like we are doing the same. Leaving Corporate America was the best decision I ever made.
I love all you’re doing to reach your level 10 life – especially your concerted effort to nurture your marriage and other relationships. Congratulations on 50 years!
Great advice and tips! As we age we find that different things in life bring more satisfaction and happiness than we would have when we were younger!
I love your motivator! I am going to write it down.
Those are great goals, and very inspriring!
I never would have thought of any of this. I don’t think of quality of life in these terms, just in terms of being sick. But it’s all so true. We should all work on what makes life better for us.