The “keys” are some of the most important qualities of a life area. By adding them to your life, you may be able to save time, save money, and make this area of your life the best it can be. If you are struggling with any life area, and would like to improve it, try incorporating one or two of its keys into your life. If you have success with that, try adding more.
The following is a list of all the life areas and their keys. It might be helpful to look over all the keys and just be aware of them. There are more detailed lists of keys on each life area page.
Community
- Give back to the community in meaningful ways such as volunteering time and resources.
- Support local organizations.
- Engage with neighbors and community members to build lasting relationships.
- Shop local to support local businesses.
- Take part in voting. Vote for people who will represent you and your community.
- Consider donating blood or being a living donor.
Family
- Spend quality time together, such as taking trips, playing games, or having meaningful conversations.
- Teach your children responsibilities so they will have these skills when they grow up.
- Show support for one another through life’s ups and downs.
- Spend birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays together, when possible.
- Eat dinner together, if possible.
- Teach your children manners and respect for adults and other children.
- Keep in contact with your children when they get older and your parents as you get older.
- Keep in contact with extended family on a regular basis.
Financial
- Know how much money you have at all times. At least have a very close estimate.
- Have a budget.
- Don’t spend beyond your means.
- Tithe to your local church.
- Have an emergency fund to fall back on.
- Have a system for paying bills.
Food and Nutrition
- Eat a balanced diet of food such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, dairy, and healthy fats.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Eat foods that are closer to the main source (whole foods). For example, eat apple slices rather than a slice of apple pie.
- Have healthy snacks on hand to eat instead of dessert or candy.
- Limit processed foods.
- Eat in moderation.
- Plan a menu for the week. Pick healthy meals. Choose some quick meals for the days when you are short on time.
- Make a grocery list with your menu in mind to ensure that you have everything on hand when you make your meals. Try to buy only what’s on your list.
- Limit grocery shopping trips. Try to do the bulk of your shopping only once per week. Shop for fresh foods and perishables as needed.
Fun and Travel
- Plan trips that provide opportunities for adventure and exploration while creating lifelong memories with family and friends.
- Take time to relax and have fun by engaging in activities such as hiking, playing sports, reading books, or watching movies.
- Enjoy different cultures through travel and visiting new places.
Health and Fitness
- Participate in regular physical activity to maintain physical and mental health.
- Develop an exercise program for your individual needs that include a mix of cardiovascular activities, strength training, and stretching.
- Drink plenty of water every day.
- Get plenty of sleep every day. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep daily.
- Take preventative measures to stay healthy, such as getting regular health checkups, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, and managing stress levels. See your general doctor for a checkup once per year. See your dentist every six months and your eye doctor once per year.
- See a doctor or dentist if anything causes you concern.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions when under their care. Keep them informed of any changes or problems.
- Be aware of any health problems in your immediate family. Be able to recognize any signs of symptoms. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if they appear.
- Get health insurance if available.
- Keep a personal health record.
- Wash hands frequently to prevent illness.
- Keep your brain active with activities such as reading and doing word and number puzzles that make you think. Also try to learn new skills on a regular basis.
- Practice healthy coping mechanisms such as journaling, yoga, or meditation to manage stress.
- Address mental health issues such as stress, depression, or anxiety with counseling or therapy if needed.
Home
- Have a place for everything in your home.
- Have a system for filing paper.
- Have a schedule for all chores, cleaning, organizing, and maintenance throughout the year.
- Delegate the jobs you don’t like to do or aren’t good at.
- Everyone in your household, who is able, should help do chores.
- Everyone should pick-up after themselves if they are able to do so.
- Take a few minutes each day to straighten up each room in your home.
- Periodically go through your things. Give away or sell things you’re not using. Throw away or recycle the things that are broken.
- Practice energy conservation habits.
Learning and Education
- Never stop learning.
- Take classes and courses on subjects you are interested in and want to learn more about.
- Find the way you learn best.
- Study every day.
- Seek out mentors who can provide valuable advice and guidance in areas of personal growth.
- Keep up to date on local and world current events.
Relationships
- Make time for meaningful conversations with family and friends. Keep in touch with them on a regular basis.
- Practice active listening in order to build strong relationships with others.
- Celebrate victories together and offer support during difficult times.
- Have qualities of a healthy relationship, such as honesty, trust, and respect.
- Learn to recognize signs of an abusive relationship. Seek help if you notice these signs in any type of relationship you have.
Self
- Spend time by yourself on a regular basis.
- Keep in contact with friends on a regular basis.
- Have some down time every day. Your body needs to be rested and “recharged.”
- Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
- Be creative. Let your style show through in the way you decorate, dress, and the overall way you live.
- Try to have a sense of humor.
- Be aware of your values, so you can recognize what is important to you and what isn’t.
- Take time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
- Invest in yourself through personal development, learning new skills, or attending workshops.
Spiritual
- Pray every day.
- Read your Bible every day.
- Have regular fellowship with other Christians.
- Tell others about Christ.
- Show people by your actions that you are a Christian.
- Thank God every day for all He has given you.
Work/Career
- Only miss work when absolutely necessary.
- Know your job responsibilities. Make a plan to implement them.
- Make a list of what needs to be done each day. Prioritize them in order of importance. Do the most important first.
- Maintain any equipment, supplies, uniforms or clothing used for work. Keep them in good condition and in working order.
- Take pride in what you do. Do the best at whatever you are doing.
- Follow through on anything you say you are going to do.
- Set professional goals that align with your personal interests, skills, and values.
- Develop practical skills that can be used in the workplace.
- Take on leadership roles or mentor others in order to grow professionally.
- Keep up with news and events that pertain to your industry.
- Consider changing work hours, if possible, if your current work hours are making it difficult to balance other areas of your life.
- Consider changing your job, or even your career, if you are often unhappy with your current job.
