“Quality of life,” you said?

It is synonymous with well-being, perceived health and life satisfaction.

“Twenty years ago, we went downhill skiing about 15 days a year, my wife and I, but now, finding one day is a miracle. Also, I can tell you that when I do have one, I’m so tired that I don’t feel like going anymore.”

“The only kind of couple activity that I manage to do is watch a movie because it demands the least energy of me, but nine times out of 10, I fall asleep during the film.”

“I’m 59 years old and work more than ever. All the “improvements” we’ve made should give us a higher quality of life. Where did that quality of life go?”

Can you relate to these words? Before asking yourself where your quality of life is, maybe you have to ask yourself what it is. The World Health Organization defines it as “individuals” perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” In short, quality of life is synonymous with well-being, perceived health and life satisfaction.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I rather dissatisfied with my life at the moment: my health, relationships, free time, what I have, the work that I do and my living environment?
• Do I feel uncomfortable in my own skin?
• Do I envy my brother-in-law who works for the government or my teacher sister-in-law who has her summers off?
• Would I like to change places with my neighbour, who has a beautiful barn and cows, and yes, a beautiful wife as well?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you probably think that you’re not enjoying a high quality of life.

However, this is a very subjective concept. What you think is an interesting life could be perceived as unliveable for your neighbour or brother-in-law. The latter, a Quebec bureaucrat, might think he would never want to be in your place. However, from the time when there is a significant distance between your ideal life and the one you are experiencing, there’s a problem. If you are satisfied, is it enough? Not necessarily. If your spouse believes that you have no quality of life and, therefore, she or he does not, you have a serious problem. It is crucial both for couples and business partners to determine a common definition of quality of life.

Although the concept remains subjective, nonetheless, we can use certain criteria to evaluate it. Here are some factors that will influence your satisfaction with your quality of life and that can also become paths toward improving it.

Physical

• Do you get regular exercise?
• Do you take the time to eat right?
• Do you take a moment to relax each day?
• Are you getting enough sleep?
• Do you take care of your health?

Social

• Do you have good meals with your family on a regular basis? Do you discuss each other’s interests during the meal?
• Do you laugh often with your family, friends or those with whom you work?
• Do you have friends?
• Do you take the time to get involved in activities outside your business?
• Do you ask yourself what you can contribute to others?
• Do other people appreciate your presence?

Psychological, emotional

• Do you know what your values are?
• Do you make life and business choices based on those values?
• Do you have goals about which you feel enthusiastic?
• Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Do you make choices based on them?
• Can you look at yourself and be proud of who you are with those strengths and weaknesses?
• Do you respect yourself?
• Do you have the impression that people around you respect you?
• Do you still take the time to appreciate your environment: nature, sunrise/sunset, the bird songs?

Financial

• Do you have the impression that you can provide for your needs and those of your loved ones?
• Do you have the flexibility to be prepared for unforeseen events?
• Are your plans based on your actual ability to pay for them?
• Do you live within your means?
• Do you take time to stop and plan your financial situation?
• Can you concentrate on and appreciate what you have and not be upset about what you don’t have or no longer have?

Finally, remember that those around us influence our ideas about quality of life. In fact, we constantly compare ourselves with others.

“If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.” (Montesquieu)

Pierrette Desrosiers,

Work Psychologist, professionnal speaker, author and business coach

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