F U N D A M E N TA L S O F
SKILLED HELPING
LIFE BALANCE AND
PROBLEM SOLVING
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
HOW DO WE SET ABOUT ACHIEVING GREATER HARMONY IN OUR LIVES?
In order to get the lives we want, or even greater fulfilment within our lives, it is necessary to
take stock, and do so regularly.
All our lives are incredibly busy and demanding. Many of us work very long hours, and if we’re
not working we’re receiving a constant barrage of stimulus, whether through social media,
TV, advertising or just the fact that we’re now so available through the electronic devices
we carry. We wake in the morning to noise, we travel to work in noise. We work in between
distractions. We go home in noise, watch TV whilst simultaneously scrolling through endless
social media feeds, then head to bed.
In the midst of this routine, we need to be able to find purpose and meaning in how we’re
investing our time. We need to build loving and caring relationships with loved ones, friends
and family. We may need to care for children and bring them up in a healthy way. We need
fulfilment in our work and a sense of achievement. We need to pay the bills and maintain
good mental health.
It is obvious that the lifestyle and the objective do not live happily side by side. Therefore we
have to be strong enough to create space to examine what we’re doing. We need to honestly
assess our own perceptions of our lives and ask:
What is going on?
When we honestly examine what is going on in our lives, it is a certain bet that there will be
one if not all areas that we are unhappy with. While the small dopamine hit that we receive
from seeing someone has liked our social post is fleetingly pleasing, there is no lasting
happiness, it is designed to need repeating endlessly. Then if we see that we are neglecting
our real life relationships at the same time, then it is time to admit something may be out of
balance, something may be wrong, and ask:
What do we want instead of what we’ve got?
This can be a shocking exercise if you have spent a long time hiding in the ‘noise’ of everyday
life. Some people can hide there for a lifetime and only realise what they’ve done on their
deathbed. It is unlikely that on that deathbed you are going to say, ‘I wish I’d posted more on
Instagram’ or ‘I wish I’d spent more time in the office’ or ‘I wish I’d got a higher score on my
playstation’. You are likely to say, ‘I wish I’d spent more quality time with my partner, or my
children, or my parents’ or ‘I wish I’d honoured the friendships in my life and spent more time
with the people I loved’. So when we take stock we need to ask:
What do we need to do to get there and what are we willing to do to get there?
As well as knowing what we really want, we also need a plan to get us there. What a plan
should not be is a means of putting off action, there is always something you can do straight
away, but you’ll also be planning so that you know where to go next. Many people dream of
a life they want, but the only thing they ever do towards obtaining it, is buying lottery tickets.
They are in effect saying that they are not willing to do anything towards getting that
life. By taking action immediately and by planning your next steps, you begin moving
forward, and when you begin moving forward change will occur. You take stock, you
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
take action and you plan and you:
Implement the plan.
The following exercise will help you to break your life down into seven main areas so that
you can identify the specific areas in your life that are currently out of balance and therefore
identify the likely causes of your stress and frustration.
People with a healthy life balance have clear prioritisation between work, which incorporates
their career, education and ambitions and lifestyle, which combines their health, leisure &
relationships.
No one in life is perfect, and no-one will ever achieve complete contentment in all of their
primary life areas. However, it is always possible to establish a better balance - and this is
what you’re about to do.
“My point is, life is about balance. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows. The pina
and the colada.” — Ellen DeGeneres
Life balance and problem resolution is an ongoing process, which will always be shaped by
the strategies we have for managing our lives. It’s within these strategies that we can wind up
misplacing our priorities and find ourselves falling out of balance.
This questionnaire has been designed to give you a holistic overview of all your seven most
important life areas, before identifying the particular life areas in which you need to make
immediate improvements.
Unfulfilled lives are always filled with “If onlys” These are the last words of those people who
let life happen to them, rather than living it. Life is full of countless opportunities, for great
successes and even more significant failures - we all learn through failure, so don’t fear it.
It’s up to you to take the initiative, to make use of every opportunity that comes your way.
Because if you don’t, you stand at risk of being condemned to a life of mediocrity and regret
— and no-one wants this!
Start working through the questionnaire and start taking stock of your life.
The late personal development expert Stephen Covey once suggested that:
‘Without a clear focus on our guiding values and priorities, each of us runs a real risk of
successfully climbing a very long ladder only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.’
This is why our core priorities are worth regular consideration, repeatedly, habitually and
anytime we’re about to devote time and energy to a new given pursuit.
Areas of Importance:
•• Social & Family Relationships
•• Career & Educational Aspirations
•• Money & Personal Finances
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
•• Physical Health, Recreation & Leisure
•• Life’s Routine Responsibilities
•• Giving Back to Society & Contribution
•• Mental, Emotional & Inner Wellbeing
The importance placed on these life areas will differ from person to person. However, if we
can maintain an element of focus in all of our life areas, we will be more likely to achieve this
healthy life balance.
By focussing on each area of importance in turn, we create awareness within us of what
aspects of our lives need to be improved and those areas we have neglected.
Work through the questions & grade your answers from 1 – 10 circling the number that feels
right to you, be instinctive and don’t agonise over it.
MAIN LIFE AREA 1:
SOCIAL AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
My family relationships are very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with my family relationships?
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am close to my parents, and our relationships are healthy.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am close to my children, and our relationships are healthy.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
The people who matter the most in my life accept me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Social relationships are important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with my social relationships
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have close friendships with people I can be myself around.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have a good (real world) social network/ am part of social groups.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am good at connecting with new people.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
I get along with my neighbours and the people in my area.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with my romantic relationship/s?
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am happy with the overall quality of my relationships?
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
From a subjective point of view I am reasonably happy with my family relationships and social
life. In them I feel myself, satisfied and accepted.
I don't have any romantic relationships or my own family.
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
I want a compatible mutually loving romantic relationship where I could be safe, feel good, be
myself with a person who loves and chooses me and with a person I love and choose.
I would like it to be mutually fulfilling and pleasurable (Italian guy).
I would like to experience life with them in the current moment and later have kids.
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
I would need to be myself but develop my natural femininity to be more attractive. I would like to
learn to cook better. To be more rounded person.
TO DO:
To develop my femininity and roundedness/ knowledge about world.
To be out there to meet people.
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about an area or areas in your relationships that you’d like
to make changes in and say what you can start doing today:
A compatible partner to be myself/ ourselves with. Mutual interests/ love/ interests in each other.
Mutual relaxation, wellbeing, trust, friendship, feelings like in a relationship with the Italian guy.
TO DO:
To take care of my femininity/ style/ appearance.
Travel to Italy.
Be open to people at PG.
Get more rounded as a person.
“Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as he is moving forward.” -
Maxwell Maltz
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
MAIN LIFE AREA 2:
CAREER & EDUCATION ASPIRATIONS
Achievements are important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with my career achievements to date
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I find my current work environment fulfilling
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I look forward to going to work each day
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My career stimulates and develops me as a person
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have a healthy & rewarding work/ life balance.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My career is offering me advancement and reward
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Strong working relationships are important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am happy with my current working relationships
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My working environment positive and supportive
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I find contentment and fulfilment in my current career
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I would urgently like a career change.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
If I died today, I would be happy with the legacy I’ll leave behind.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I am happy with my work environment (support, relationships) and what working at Pexel brings to
my life in a broader sence (lots of flexibility, work-life balance and an lots of opportunities to
develop other areas in my life (languages, music, sports, mountaineering, any hobbies,
relationships, travelling... - my personal life and aspirations).
However, I am not too keen to get involved in my current career to advance, as for me it's
just more as a tool.
I would like to leave some legacy behind. Should it be through my career?
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
I am happy with my current setting as I "compensate" my carreer and also have a good balance.
Work is more as a tool.
I would like to find ways to be able to create some meaningful/ fulfilling to me value through
what I do. Coaching/ awakening people to who they are might be the way..
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
I would like to learn new skills to genuinely help people in their own authentic life paths and to do
that in healthy and sustainable ways to them.
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about an area or areas in your career or education that
you’d like to make changes in and say what you can start doing today:
Just kep going with all these courses on Udemy. Do that and go from here.
“There is no decision that we can make that doesn’t come with some sort of balance or
sacrifice.” - Simon Sinek
MAIN LIFE AREA 3:
MONEY & PERSONAL FINANCES
Being financially capable is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am content with my current financial effectiveness.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have enough money to meet my current wants.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have enough money to meet my current needs.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I know my exact monthly outgoings.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I always know what’s in my bank account/s.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Being generous to others is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am currently very generous towards others.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with how much I give to others
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Charitable contribution is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with how charitable I currently am.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am willing to step out of my comfort zone & take new risks to generate more income.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I worry a lot about my current financial situation.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I don't track my finances: where my money goes or how much I have. What I have, and I am
grateful for that is sufficient for my current needs and wants. However, I sometimes worry about
my saving situation and the future such as retirement (saving for that) and saving money for
any property or any life situations, such as family, illness, etc.
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
I would like to invest (SNPs???) a reasonable part of my money monthly/ automatically for
the future, also have some savings for the unforeseen and save towards my retirement when
diversifying (pension fonds, SNPs, cripto?, investing resources in my health!!!)
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
To get to know how SNPs work and how I could automate investment and saving processes to
be free of concerns when it comes to this.
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about an area or areas in your personal finances that you’d
like to make changes in and say what you can start doing today:
Finantial abundance now and in the future.
Automate saving and investment processes for now, retiremenment and the future.
“To establish balance in our personal finances, it’s crucial that we learn to live within our
means.” - Kain Ramsay
MAIN LIFE AREA 4:
HEALTH, RECREATION & LEISURE
Establishing a healthy work/ life balance is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am content with my current work/life balance.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Physical health is critical to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am very happy with my current physical health
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am very happy with my current physical fitness levels.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Having plenty of ‘free’ time is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am very content with the amount of free time I have.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My physical appearance is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am content with my current physical appearance.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I can handle my stress and anxiety levels effectively.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I very much enjoy life outside of work/study.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
I am able to do things I enjoy frequently.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I have room for improvements in my life outside of work and/or study.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I am happy with the amount of time I have for my out of work activities that I enjoy (it's
adjustable). I am also happy woth my general physical health.
I would like to improve my style and phisical appearance as well as femininity.
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
Be more feminine and stylish (classical, with no super effort), I would also like to have a general
fitness routine to maintain overall health.
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
Be around feminine women and get inspired to adapt femininity/ style strategies to myself.
Train a bit more regularly: run/ Nike training/ yoga - 3 times a week
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about an area or areas in your personal/social life that
you’d like to make changes in and say what you can start doing today:
I am a feminine, healthy, sportive and fit woman.
Small improvements towards developing my femininity/ style - find purpose/ what I want to
communicate with it.
Train more regularly the way I like it.
“In our leisure we reveal what kind of people we are.” - Ovid
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
MAIN LIFE AREA 5:
LIFE’S ROUTINE RESPONSIBILITIES
Managing routine tasks around the home is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with how I currently handle routine tasks.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am disciplined in paying my routine household bills.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I could be more disciplined in managing my bills & other important responsibilities.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Prioritizing my responsibilities is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with how I prioritise my responsibilities
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
A well-managed home environment is essential to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with my current home environment.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Dealing with home issues promptly is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Home life would be easier if I had a better system in place for managing my routine
responsibilities.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I worry a lot about my routine responsibilities.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My life would be so much easier if I were more disciplined in managing my routine
responsibilities around the home.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I don't have my own home and I am grateful and satisfied with what I have withing reason.
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
I would like a space/ home which I could take care of without paying for rent, just utilities.
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
I would like to share space with someone and create home feeling for us.
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about how you could become more efficient in managing
your routine responsibilities and say what you can start doing today:
Priotitise my beautiful environment.
Deep cleaning.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines that are practiced every day.” - Jim
Rohn
MAIN LIFE AREA 6:
CONTRIBUTION & GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
Contributing to society & making a difference is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with how much I currently give back to society.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I regularly make a positive impact in the lives of other people.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am satisfied with the amount of difference I make in the lives of others.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Leaving behind a meaningful legacy is important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am happy with the current legacy that I would leave behind.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
I encourage and support those closest to me often.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My time is mainly spent focussing on myself and my immediate needs.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I get involved with and support a social initiative that I genuinely believe in.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Those closest to me find great value in me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My peers or co-workers find great value in me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Someday my children will be proud of the way in which I’ve lived my life.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I could make more effort in contributing back to society.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I would like to improve the value I generate to society !!!
I would like to create my legacy by creating this value
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
Create something from inner wellbeing, peace and love that could be shared with those in need
to improve the qualityin their lives.
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
Learn, internalise and practice these courses from Udemy.
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about how you could begin making a greater impact in your
culture or society and say what you can start doing today:
Study this course as it allignes with the type of impact I would like to make. And go from there.
“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” -
Albert Einstein
MAIN LIFE AREA 7:
MENTAL, EMOTIONAL & SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Being mentally healthy and strong is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I currently feel I am very mentally healthy and strong.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Being emotionally healthy and strong is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I currently feel I am very emotionally healthy and strong.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am confident and secure in who I am as a person.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
The way in which I am currently living my life is very fulfilling.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I am very content with the way in which I am currently living my life.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Being spiritually healthy and strong is very important to me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I currently feel I am very spiritually healthy and strong.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
I regularly invest time into developing myself spiritually.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
I am consistently competent at managing my emotions. I have good self-control.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
My emotions will often manage me. I am undisciplined in self-control.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Negative and destructive emotions will often get the ‘better’ of me.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Agree
Now answer the core questions about this area of your life:
What’s going on?
I am happy with my mental and emotional life, however, I would like to improve my spiritual life.
What do I want instead of what I’ve got?
To make spirituality/ expansion/ spiritual growth my core priority.
What do I need to do to get there and what am I willing to do to get there?
Dedicate 0.5-1 h. of quality time for my spiritual practices/ wellbeing.
Implementation:
Write a personal vision statement about how you can begin developing yourself mentally,
emotionally and spiritually and say what you can start doing today:
Being quality present for my spiritual side often. This involves spiritual practices: meditaition,
gratitude, also just being here for myself - intimacy, reading, spiritual content.
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have
thrown at him.” - David Brinkley
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
GENERAL LIFE-EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Q1) Summarise what your ideal life would be like.
Partnership: compatible, deep, harmonious, loving, mutually supportive and growing.
Hyperpololyglot: living, working, studying, travelling aborad.
Spirituality: depth, expansion.
Authenticity: allignment with it.
Strong family and friend relationships.
Health: high fitness level.
Lifelong learning!
Q2) What are the main challenges (or difficulties) that you’re facing in bringing your life
back into balance?
Value to create to society.
Promoting autenticity, empowering people to take responsibility, providing tools for autonomy.
Q3) What areas of your life are working really well for you at the moment? (e.g. Family,
work, fitness etc.)
Discipline and goal setting.
Q4) What immediate changes do you need to make and what can you do today?
Communicate with Riccardo with an open heart.
Developing my life vission and value I could provide and taking first steps.
Q5) What words might other people use to describe you? (In relation to how balanced you
are)
Active
“Success is a lousy teacher in life. It seduces smart people into believing that they
can’t lose.” - Bill Gates
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
END OF WORKBOOK SUMMARY:
It’s important to remember that life balance and problem resolution is an ongoing process
and not just a means to an end. By regularly taking stock and reflecting on your life, writing
down the issues and taking action, you will create an extraordinary life.
All you require is a constant sense of forward momentum. If you feel you have come to a
stop or even reversing - take stock! By being specific, identifying goals and challenges and
creating decisions based on action, you become powerful. You take control of your life and
drive its direction.
Hopefully you have set some goals for yourself that are significant, meaningful, and will
improve the quality of your life and others, once you have put in the hard work to achieve
them.
Which of your seven main life areas are you going to bring back into balance first?
Notes:
Strong family relationships
Spirituality
Developing the value I can provide to other people
Taking first steps in providing the value
Finance
Continuous learning
Femininity/ personal brand
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
LIFE BALANCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING
