It’s hard to believe it is almost March, and 2019 seems to keep rushing ahead at lightning speed. Our family’s theme this year is simply, “Do Better!”. Maybe it’s because of the uncertainty of what’s in store for 2019 (we have a lot of unknowns). Maybe it’s because when so many things could be better than they are, you just have to start with one and go for it. Have you tried to do anything “different” or “better” this year to improve your circumstances? If you are like me, I sometimes get stuck looking for that perfect combination of tools and new habits that will make everything better and forget that I might gain a lot of traction with a simpler approach and mindset.
Your Peace Index
One idea that might make a difference for you and simplify what you should focus on is your peace index:
The peace index is simply how you view your current environment and the degree to which you are at peace with it. There are 5 variables that makeup your peace index:
- Purpose – How fulfilled you are with the work you are doing and the company for which you do it
- People – your co-workers and personal relationships and the degree to which they uplift or undermine you
- Place – Where you live and/or work and how life-giving it is to you
- Provision – Income or salary you are making and the degree it meets your needs
- Physical Health – Symptoms or ailments that affect your ability to do what you would like
Self- Assessment
In simplest terms, think about each of these variables and self-score them on a scale of 1-100. Once you score each variable, average the 5 scores, and you have your peace index. Maybe one of these variables is more important to you and you give it a little more weight. Regardless, what does your peace index tell you? Is one variable significantly lower than the others? Since this is strictly your self-evaluation, you can be fully transparent about where you stand with each of these variables. Is your overall index high, low, or just right?
Setting goals and creating plans to “do” things better is always a good exercise. However, sometimes we tend to overlook the Peace Index and its importance. For example, if your boss and co-workers really aren’t for you , then it is highly unlikely that you will do the things that will cause them to change their perspective of you. Maybe finding a liberating group to work with is a better use of your energy and time than producing more “results”. At least knowing where you stand with your peace index can help shape your priorities for the rest of the year. I hope your 2019 far exceeds your expectations!
Stephen is a Master Coach powered by GiANT Worldwide. He is also the President of Coram Deo Solutions, a firm dedicated to serving impact investors, philanthropists, and funders through effective evaluation and leadership development.
He spent 20 years working in higher education, research, and private foundation settings. Stephen has a proven track record building systems and evaluation programs to advance the mission of organizations and works with executives and sr. leaders to strategically build their organizations.
Stephen currently lives in the Denver, CO area.
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