Reccently, I welcomed a long-term client for a monthly one-on-one meeting. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I asked him to rate his personal wellness by talking through five areas of life:

• Physical health – how do you feel physically and how have you cared for your body?
• Intellectual health – how have you stimulated your mind and positively tested your capacity for learning?
• Emotional health – how are you processing the events of life? Are you stuck and feeling heavy thoughts as a result or are you experiencing freedom?
• Spiritual health – in what ways have you invested in your relationship with God? How have you relied on God and what have you learned?
• Relational health – are you at peace in the relationships closest to you? Are you comfortable with how you have invested in others?

For each area, we considered together what behaviors within his control might increase his self-ratings over the next month.

The time we take to sincerely and professionally review these five areas of health and self-care provides many benefits, particularly as we consider these through the context of his personal life and vocational situation. Observations made during this part of our conversation often generate gratitude, occasionally disappointment, and always an illumination of the cause/effect relationship between diligence and performance. Ultimately, the practice, (which originates from ancient sources), provides a light along the pathway toward this client’s highest potential and leadership capacity.

During this phase, it is my job to ask direct questions, listen well, offer a balance of grace and accountability—and to remind my client with hope that his potential will be more fully realized as he advances along the continuum in each area of life. The conversation sets the stage for the balance of our meeting which almost always includes accountability items, development/learning topics and preparing for coming challenges.

My colleagues and I love to see individuals move toward their highest potential. It’s why we diligently approach each time together, asking the right questions, born from truth, and with the right, shared purpose. Are you ready to grow as a friend, a family member, a contributor, and a leader? We can help. Please call or email if you would like to learn more.

Written by Jerry Murray​