The 7 Fs
How to organize your life, set meaningful goals, balance your commitments, build your capability, and set yourself up to lead well.
Organizing life into seven key areas—Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance, Fun, Friends, and Fulfillment— has offered me a comprehensive framework to establish balance in my life and strive for happiness and overall well-being while finding purpose and meaning in serving others.
The Seven “Fs” emerged from a discussion with my Friend Aaron Adams. He uses 5 Fs and calls them buckets. I expanded the 5 to 7 and looked at them as lines of effort to set goals along each of the 7 Fs. I’ll talk more about evaluating effectiveness in reaching those goals next week.
So, for my nonmilitary friends, let’s discuss a line of effort. In military terms, a "Line of Effort" (LOE) is an organized initiative that serves as a focal point to achieve specific goals or objectives within a broader plan or strategy. For our use, the more comprehensive plan is your LIFE, and the Lines of Effort refer to specific areas of focus, such as career advancement, health and wellness, personal relationships, financial stability, or spiritual growth. Organizing your life into these lines helps prioritize your efforts, set goals, and effectively manage time and resources in each vital area.
1. Faith: Faith represents spiritual and philosophical beliefs that provide life purpose, meaning, and guidance. Faith is much more than religious practices, as it includes mindfulness, meditation, or any spiritual pursuits that help foster inner peace, resilience, and a sense of connectedness to a higher power or purpose.
2. Family: Family encompasses the relationships and responsibilities within your immediate and extended family. It involves investing time, effort, and love to nurture strong bonds, effective communication, and a supportive network. Balancing work and family, actively engaging in family events, and being there during joyous and challenging times are crucial.
3. Fitness: Physical well-being and health are the focal points of the fitness aspect. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and mental health maintenance contribute to overall fitness. Prioritizing physical health ensures a strong foundation for an active, fulfilling life.
4. Finance: Financial stability and responsibility are fundamental for a secure and comfortable life. Budgeting, saving, investing wisely, managing debt, and planning for the future are all critical to maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
5. Fun: Fun is about enjoying life, pursuing hobbies, and engaging in recreational activities that bring joy and relaxation. Hobbies, travel, entertainment, and any other activities that make you happy and add excitement and variety to your life need to have your focus.
6. Friends: Friends represent your social connections and the relationships you build outside your family. Cultivating and maintaining friendships is essential, as they provide emotional support, companionship, and opportunities for personal growth. Spending quality time with friends and nurturing those relationships is crucial in living a full life, leading to number 7.
7. Fulfillment: Fulfillment encompasses personal growth, self-discovery, and pursuing meaningful goals. It's about finding purpose, contributing to society, and achieving a sense of accomplishment. Professional development, volunteering, creativity, or any activities that align with your values and passions will drive a sense of purpose that connects you to being human.
Balancing and organizing these seven aspects of life is a dynamic and ongoing process. Priorities may shift over time, and it's important to reassess and adjust accordingly to maintain a well-rounded, satisfying life. Striving for harmony and growth in the 7 Line of Effort can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful existence.
Take some time alone to establish your life’s priorities. Solitude is an integral part of leading well (leading with love). Check out my friend Mike Erwin’s book, Lead Yourself First, for insights into the power of solitude in building the foundation for your life’s journey.
You are the hero of your life’s story. To read some great thoughts on being the hero of your story, read my friend John Dailey’s Substack post from yesterday.
Follow the path towards humanity.
Lead With Love.
Cheers,
Doom
Hi Fred! Just found this post through your recent Note. This is a helpful framework for thinking through and organizing a plan for growth. Unfortunately, I think I’m lagging majorly in finance, friends, and fun! I think that’s where a list like this comes in handy, though: being able to check off what you currently feel good about and take note of what you don’t. Thanks for the reminder!