What Has Personal Wellness Got to Do With Managing?
There is an old adage that “You can’t lead anyone else unless you first can lead yourself.” If you are struggling personally — physically, emotionally, spiritually or mentally — then you cannot give your full attention and energy to your job. Instead, much of your being is spent on taking care of yourself, whether you are aware of it or not. That is why many organizations are offering courses in well-being as part of their overall support to their employees.
There are many aspects to personal wellness. Fortunately, there are also many guidelines and resources to help you in your own development. Research shows it is most effective to develop a personal wellness plan and then get help to implement the plan.
What is Personal Wellness?
People used to consider wellness to be just the absence of physical illness. However, as we have learned more about the many other aspects that can affect our happiness, joy and meaning in our lives, that definition has changed. The National Wellness Institute writes ” … there appears to be general agreement that:
- Wellness is a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential
- Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment
- Wellness is positive and affirming”
The Institute specifies that there are six dimensions to wellness including:
- Emotional
- Occupational
- Physical
- Social
- Intellectual
- Spiritual
The Institute advocates a holistic approach to improving one’s well being.
Take a Personal Wellness Inventory
Before developing a wellness plan, it is useful to get some “objective” perspective on the condition of your personal wellness. You might take one or both of the following private tests.
What did you learn about your wellness? What do you want to do about it? It helps to list your goals in a personal wellness plan. Consider the guidelines and samples in the following sections.