Utilizing Roles as a framework for organizing your information and schedule stands solidly on the premise of a “balanced life.”

When we start talking about a balanced life, we immediately enter a “quality of life” discussion. Also in the quality of life discussion is the desire for a “simple life.”

When I look at the many different responsibilities and engagements “on my plate,” the questions, “What is simple? Is this a simple life?” continually beg attention. The answer that keeps coming back like the Energizer Bunny points to a qualitative internal experience rather than a qualitative external experience. Huh? (what kind of talk is that? a throw back to the days when I was working with Land Use Watch Dog Organization, Citizens Planning Association. That was when I was introduced to “Quality of Life” as a community discussion.)

“Qualitative internal experience vs. a qualitative external experience” (still can’t believe I just wrote that, ha ha) OR shall we say, it’s a question of following your heart vs. the number of obligations that you have in your life. How many times have you heard, “Just follow your heart!” “Well, duh,” you respond, “if it was that easy, I probably wouldn’t be seeking encouragement and tools to do it!”

Organizing your information and schedule with Roles as a framework gives easily understandable guidelines to incorporate the quality of life discussion into your day to day life. Over the course of the week I’ll write about different aspects of organizing by Roles. By the way, Stephen Covey wrote extensively about Roles in his book, First Things First.