People must keep doing the right things to reach 8/10 - because that pays the bills. But it is also important to do the extra things that make life special. Life can become soul-less if people spend all their time simply striving to be effective. They also need creativity and beauty. Let’s explore how you can make this happen.

1) You can keep doing the things that must be done to maintain the 8/10.

“I do everything possible to get the basics right in my professional life,” said one person, “but sometimes I neglect these in my personal life. Three years ago that resulted in a painful divorce, but hopefully I have now learnt my lesson. Nowadays I create time to listen to my partner, spend time together and share adventures. Going back to my professional life, I like to be on the front foot. That means putting everything in place as far ahead as possible. I am very efficient, but I must create more opportunities for excitement.”

Try tackling the exercise on this theme. Begin by describing the specific things you can do to reach the 8/10 in your personal and professional life. Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to maintain
the 8/10 in my life and work are:

*

*

*

2) You can keep doing the things that add the touch of magic.

Effectiveness is vital - especially when providing the basics for life - but people also want something extra. They want zest, creativity, joy, beauty and surprise. Some people only get this in their ‘extra-curricular’ activities - such as art or sport - but others try to integrate it into their daily lives and work.

“I returned to playing rock music and even sang at a gig for the first time in 20 years,” said one person. “My partner and I also went skiing, which gave us lots to laugh about and a chance to talk. In my professional life, I returned to spending 50% of my time visiting customers. I love helping them to solve problems and, at the same time, getting new business. My partner says that I have regained my sense of fun - which probably means I had become boring!”

What can you do to add the extra things that make life worthwhile? Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to keep
adding the magic in my life and work are:

*

*

*

3) You can maintain the 8/10 and keep adding the magic.

Peak performers get the basics right and then use their talent to reach 10/10. How can you do this in your own way? Let’s assume you start by getting the foundations in place. It is then time to make plans for making magic. You may want to create beauty, visit the theatre, travel to new countries, walk in the hills, innovate at work, design new solutions, work with positive people or whatever. Describe how you can keep doing the basics - but also add the juiciness. Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to maintain the 8/10 and
also keep adding the magic in my life and work are:

*

*

*

Bookmark It