Tools
Monthly Life Audit
During my ninety-plus years of life I have enjoyed amazing highs that exceeded my wildest dreams, and a few spectacular disasters too. I wrote a memoir about these experiences. Its title is How I Lost $25,000,000, Discovered the Secrets of Business Success, and Found True Happiness.
Reflecting on the occasions when my life derailed, resulting in massive financial losses, I now realize these situations could have been prevented. Each of these events occurred during a period when my life was busy from dawn to dusk, each day bleeding into the next. I was making important decisions on the fly without taking the time to analyse their long-term impact. During these periods, I was also neglecting important relationships with my children and close friends. Nor did I take the initiative to cut ties with unhealthy relationships. My life was out of control.
I was so consumed with the thrill that comes with success, I was blind to the danger signs that should have alerted me to the icebergs that lie ahead and caused such devastation to both my business and personal life.
When the dust settled after this difficult period, I was determined to work out a system to ensure this situation could never happen again. After mulling on this for several weeks I came up with a life management system inspired by the meticulous safety checks commercial pilots conduct before every flight.
Here is how this system works. For the past fifteen years I have taken a half hour on the first day of each month to conduct an audit of what is happening in all areas of my life. Since starting this practice, I am now more in control of my life, and enjoy a sense of wellbeing and happiness.
Now, I want to help others learn from my mistakes. To do this I have developed an easy-to-use adaptation of my Monthly Life Audit. This will be available to all Pathfinder subscribers beginning this month.
Why Monthly Check-Ins Matter:
Think of your life as a complex system, just like your car or home. Regular maintenance is crucial for their smooth operation. A monthly life audit offers these benefits:
Highlights areas for improvement: Are you burnt out at work? Have you wasted money on things you didn’t need? Are important relationships drifting apart? Regular check-ins help you spot areas that need attention, before they become bigger problems.
Celebrate your wins: The monthly audit allows you to acknowledge and celebrate achievements, big or small.
Course-correct before issues escalate: Catch problems early when they are easier to fix. A drop in job satisfaction might be a sign to update your resume. Be aware of neglected relationships you want to preserve.
Feel empowered: Life can feel overwhelming. The Monthly Life Audit puts you in control by allowing you to create a roadmap for your well-being.
Get Started with Your Own Monthly Life Audit
Here's how to get the most out of this exercise in self-reflection:
Schedule dedicated time: Don't rush. Block 20 minutes in your calendar each month specifically for the audit.
Be honest with yourself: This is a self-discovery exercise. Be truthful about your feelings and needs.
Make it a couple's activity (optional): If you're in a committed relationship, consider doing the audit together. It can strengthen communication and create shared goals.
Move beyond problem identification: Brainstorm solutions and set goals for improvement.
Remember: The Pathfinder Monthly Life Audit isn't about perfection. It's about becoming more self-aware, helping you to avoid making bad decisions, and designing a life that feels balanced and fulfilling. Take charge and create a life you love!
When you are ready to begin: Find a quiet space and dedicate 30 minutes to your first life audit. (A detailed guide on what to focus on during your audit is included below).
The Pathfinder Monthly Life Audit© is an initiative-taking approach to taking control, avoiding problem situations, and creating a life you love.
To keep your life on track, The Pathfinder “Life Audit Checklist” will arrive in your inbox during the first week of each month. It will take about twenty minutes to complete.
Tips for a Successful Audit
Set aside dedicated time: Don't rush through the process. Schedule a specific time each month for your life audit.
Be honest with yourself: This is a self-reflection exercise, so be truthful about your feelings and needs.
If you are married, or in a committed relationship: We suggest making your monthly Life Audits a team event.
Don't just identify issues: brainstorm solutions and set goals for improvement.
Take Charge of Your Life: Your monthly life audit isn't about perfection. It's about self-awareness and creating a life that feels balanced and fulfilling. By taking a proactive approach, you can see areas to improve, celebrate successes, and ultimately, live a life you love. Remember, it's your life, and you get to design it!
Get started today: While it’s on your mind, book a quiet half hour to conduct your first Life audit. Follow the format set out in the following chart.
The Pathfinder community’s mandate is to help others live better lives by making the wisdom acquired by super-successful seniors available to younger generations.
So, please send this information on The Pathfinder’s Monthly Life audit to any of your contacts who might find this useful.