Historically speaking, “making a living” has many facets. One can go to work for others to earn wages; you could also work for yourself. Or you can be in business and make money by selling goods or services.

Up until about 25 years ago, people would often work in professions like banking, teaching or being a doctor because the professions gave a “job for life” security. The unskilled or the semi-skilled were unfortunately at the bottom of the economic pyramid. All they had to offer was their labour and ability to work hard. The lowest paid and the least valuable.

In between the two extremes were the skilled artisans or craftsmen. This section of the working population supplied the good and services that required specialist knowledge and skills. Huge numbers of articles were hand made by skilled workers to fulfil a myriad of uses.

The last 50 years have seen massive changes in the way we live, the way we work and the way we engage in leisure. Understanding this fundamental fact is key to organising yourself to live work and enjoy yourself within your capability.

Earning money to live occupies the best part of the day for most people. It should be obvious that what you do should be ideally be enjoyable or at the very least not be detestable. How much you earn, how and when you go out to earn can also impinge on other areas of your life.

Wheel of life

Everyone’s life has certain elements that should achieve the same level of satisfaction for a balanced life style. Most of the elements are listed below. You can add or subtract elements that are important to you. Give each element a score out 10. a score of 1 = completely dissatisfied, 10 = completely satisfied. A score in between would indicate the level of satisfaction / dissatisfaction

Friends and family

Fitness and health

Career and work

Money and finances

Personal and spiritual calmness

Relationship

Home and environment

Fun and recreation, hobby

The elements above each represent a spoke on a Wheel of life balance. Score of one is at the centre of the wheel. A score of 10 is on the rim of the wheel. A balanced life style would achieve a high score of approx same value to get a regular wheel that will serve you turn through your life cycle effectively. More often, most people have some elements that score very high and some that score very low. This gives a wheel that is almost flat on one or more sides.

It would difficult or impossible to turn this wheel.

The quality of your life would be as erratic as the turning of the wheel