External Pressures & Prioritising lifestyle

By 2030, an estimated 50% of our worldwide population is projected to be obese—an astounding statistic that ought to catalyse significant changes.

I’ve always struggled to have a balanced lifestyle, much the same as most people I would imagine. Even when my kids were born, and although they were and are the absolute light of my life, my workload and personal internal pressure always won!

It wasn’t until my relationship completely broke down that I knew change was needed to repair myself and my relationship with those around me. Looking back at that now, the steps were not easy, but certainly much simpler than I had built up in my mind.

So where does this pressure come from? And what do we do about it?

My take is quite simple, we DO what we SEE… our grandparents and parents' work routine typically revolved around the traditional 9-to-5 structure, often without much emphasis on personal lifestyle outside of work commitments. The focus was on fulfilling work obligations, and there was a prevalent belief that dedicating long hours solely to one's career was the norm. There's also the "keeping up with the Joneses" element at play, with "our neighbours just got a brand new car,, why can't we?" thinking.

In recent times, there's been a noticeable change among newer generations as they acknowledge the significance of embracing a holistic lifestyle that transcends the boundaries of work or material possessions. Personally, I've discovered that this understanding stands as a fundamental element in attaining balance.

Our lives should involve more than just work. It's important to focus on family, taking care of ourselves, enjoying hobbies, and finding happiness, not just from our jobs. Given the introduction of AI over the next few decades, our careers are set to be ever-evolving anyway.

The modern approach leans toward integrating work with personal life harmoniously, acknowledging that a well-rounded lifestyle significantly contributes to overall happiness and satisfaction.

So what does a healthy balanced lifestyle look like?

This varies for each person and depends on your specific physical, mental, and emotional needs. Here's an exercise I've practised multiple times, which aids in maintaining balance. Personally, as a visual thinker, jotting it down significantly assists in the process.

Steps to Organise Your Commitments and Prioritise:

  1. List All Activities: Jot down your weekly commitments, including work-related tasks, side projects, family responsibilities, hobbies, leisure activities, and personal commitments. Specify how frequently you aim to engage in each.

  2. Assign Importance: Allocate a percentage to each activity, aiming for a collective total of 100%. Consider factors like income, time quality, health, family engagement, and personal interests to gauge their significance.

  3. Under 5% Evaluation: Activities below 5% importance should be reconsidered. Either eliminate, delegate, or automate such tasks to free up time for pursuits that yield greater personal growth and fulfilment. Embrace this process to carve a path towards a desired lifestyle. Feel free to review my sample work and personal plan provided, knowing it's an ever-evolving model.

  4. Prioritise and Commit: This crucial final step involves prioritising the identified key areas. My future post will focus on scheduling and breaking down these priorities into manageable habits for implementation, so keep an eye out for that.


Living a healthy lifestyle, though challenging at first, profoundly impacts physical, mental, and emotional well-being, significantly influencing life success. Recognising success arises from a balanced approach fuels compounded positive effects when dedicated to this journey.

Benefits of a healthy lifestyle:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety.

  • Enhances mental and emotional well-being.

  • Improves mood, cognitive function, and prevents depression.

  • Boosts energy levels, enhancing productivity.

  • Offers opportunities for new connections.

  • Sets a positive example, inspiring others' well-being.

Incorporating small changes like a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep into our daily routines significantly heightens our prospects for success in every facet of life.