This is a simple life audit workbook to help you navigate through your quarter-life crisis. My mom used to say this proverb: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. You can’t just sit around or keep assuming you are making progress without ever auditing yourself. That’s why I am sharing this life audit worksheet for you all to hold yourself accountable.
Image Source: Dreamstime
What Is A Life Audit?
It’s not just holding yourself accountable, but ‘creating’ your lifestyle. (1)
What is a lifestyle audit?
A lifestyle audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s daily habits, routines, and choices that impact their overall well-being.
This process involves assessing various aspects of life, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep patterns, stress management, and social interactions.
The goal of a lifestyle audit is to identify areas for improvement and create actionable plans to enhance one’s health and quality of life.
Conducting a lifestyle audit can be beneficial for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life. By examining habits and behaviors, individuals can gain insights into what is working well and what may need adjustment.
This self-reflection can lead to better decision-making regarding diet, exercise, and overall wellness.
Creating a life audit worksheet is the quintessential way to do it.
Why Do We Need A Life Audit?
Being aware of your progress in life is not something all are blessed with naturally.
I have been meaning to reinvent myself for a few months now, but the idea of change has made me feel vulnerable. I hate change and If that’s something you are also struggling with, check this out – How To Reinvent Yourself In The Next 7 Months.
But a change can be healthy. Think about the times we were afraid to change, but when it happened, it left us with so much gratitude. Life is always reinventing itself, so why shouldn’t we? A life audit workbook lets us track our progress and keeps us on the path to our goals. (2)
If there is one thing I look forward to every day, it’s my life audit worksheet to look back on every night before going to bed and evaluate my professional development so I can not just visualize but achieve the financial independence we all strive for. Here’s how I created my life audit workbook.
How To Do A Life Audit?
It all seems complicated only until you divide your life goals into small, manageable milestones. A simple way would be following ‘the wheel of life’ technique. (3)
Desires can be overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like sand slipping through your hands. But to work towards your goals and achieve them, visualization makes everything a lot easier.
Credit: The Goal Chaser
This visualization method helps understand which areas of your life need improvement and creates a humble balance. Let me elaborate with an example of how to utilize this ‘wheel of life’ for a personal life audit workbook:
1. Areas of Life
The wheel categorizes different areas of life in the following manner:
- Relationships
- Recreation/Fun
- Spirituality
- Career/Business
- Finance/Wealth
- Environment
- Health & Well-being
- Family and Friends
- Grading the categories
Each of these categories in the circle have 10 divisions, giving a total grade of 10. Now think about how you feel in each area of life.
- Are you happy with your current health and well-being?
- What does your ideal health look like to you? (for example, I would want to wake up fresh after having 8 hours of sleep which I don’t)
- Are you doing to achieve what you idealize? (for me, I should go to bed with blank slate of thoughts to have a peaceful night’s sleep)
Such questions help you analyze which grade you fall under and can even illuminate you where the gaps lie.
2. Preparing for Actionables
Following my example of constant exhaustion and poor sleep quality, I know everything can be better if I dump my late night scrolling habits, rectify the meaning of ‘me-time’ and translate it into healthy night routines like a warm shower and a spiritual solitude.
Once you know where the balance is out, you can take steps but make sure to not be overwhelmed by the idea of change or let it prevent you from doing what’s best for you.
How To Do A Life Audit – Reddit Inspiration
Here I will share a story of another person about “how to do a life audit reddit inspiration” which was really moving for me. (4)
“I do. “life audits” every 4 months. Two other questions I have on my list are:
- What are the ‘low-hanging fruit’ items you want to take off your plate?
By this I mean, what are the tasks that are pretty easy to do that I have in the back of my mind that I just haven’t done yet? I make a list and then have a “life audit day” where I do these things. Usually it’s things like: drop off donation items, schedule dentist/ doctor appointments, increase 401k, get an oil change, etc. Simple but important things that are more “check-offs” and can be done rather quickly, as opposed to full-on goals that take a while. Having this really helps free up my mind from the “clutter”. I tend to feel guilty when I know I have things I want to do that are easy, but I keep pushing them off. I find it useful.
2. What is one habit/ behavior I am doing right now that I could stop/ change and it would improve my life?
Just pick one and work on it. For example, one of mine was not flossing daily (gross, I know). It only took 2 months to build the habit, and now I have a full brush/ floss/ mouthwash 2x a day routine and it has made me feel so much better about myself.
Both, obviously require consistency and intentional commitment. But they’re easy things to help keep you improving.”
Life Audit Checklist
Personal Growth and Development
- Mindfulness and Meditation: How often do you practice mindfulness or meditation? Are you satisfied with your progress? Are you able to cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm?
- Learning and Education: Are you actively seeking new knowledge or skills? What have you learned recently? Are you challenging yourself to step outside of your comfort zone?
- Personal Values: Do your actions align with your core values? Are there any areas where you could improve? Are you living authentically and true to yourself?
- Self-Care: How well are you taking care of your physical and mental health? Are you making time for activities you enjoy?
Relationships & Community
- Family and Friends: Are you nurturing your relationships with loved ones? Do you feel supported and connected?
- Romantic Relationships: Are you satisfied with your romantic life? Are there any areas where you’d like to improve?
- Social Connections: Are you building and maintaining meaningful social connections? Do you feel a sense of belonging?
- Conflict Resolution: How effectively do you handle conflicts in your relationships? Are you able to communicate openly and honestly?
- Giving Back: Are you involved in volunteer work or community service? Are you making a positive impact on the lives of others?
- Networking and Connections: Are you building and maintaining professional and social networks? Are you expanding your circle of acquaintances?
Career and Finances
- Career Goals: Are you working towards your career goals? Are you satisfied with your current job or profession?
- Financial Planning: Are you managing your finances effectively? Do you have a budget and savings plan?
- Work-Life Balance: Are you finding a healthy balance between work and personal life? Are you experiencing excessive stress?
Health and Wellness
- Physical Health: Are you regularly engaging in physical activity? Are you eating a healthy diet?
- Mental Health: Are you taking care of your mental health? Are you seeking support if needed?
- Wellness Practices: Are you incorporating wellness practices like yoga, meditation, or journaling into your routine?
Spirituality and Purpose
- Spiritual Beliefs: Are you connected to your spiritual beliefs or values? Are you seeking meaning and purpose in life?
- Personal Philosophy: Do you have a personal philosophy or worldview that guides your decisions?
- Contribution: Are you making a positive impact on the world? Are you contributing to causes you care about? You can do these 21 Simple Things To Make Every Day Count.
Environment and Sustainability
- Eco-Conscious Living: Are you making conscious choices to reduce your environmental impact? Are you living sustainably?
- Community Involvement: Are you actively involved in your community? Are you contributing to local initiatives?
- Climate Action: Are you aware of the climate crisis and taking steps to address it? Are you supporting sustainable practices and policies?
Creativity and Expression
- Artistic Pursuits: Are you engaging in any creative activities like painting, writing, or music? Do you feel fulfilled by your artistic endeavors?
- Self-Expression: Are you comfortable expressing your thoughts, feelings, and opinions? Do you feel heard and understood?
- Creativity in Daily Life: Are you finding creative ways to approach challenges or express yourself in everyday situations?
Digital Well-being
- Screen Time: Are you spending too much time on screens? Are you taking breaks to disconnect and rest your eyes?
- Social Media: How does social media impact your mental health and well-being? Are you using it mindfully and positively?
- Online Privacy: Are you protecting your personal information online? Are you aware of the risks and taking necessary precautions?
Hobbies and Interests
- Passion Projects: Are you pursuing any personal passions or hobbies? Are you dedicating time to activities that bring you joy and fulfilment?
- Exploration: Are you open to trying new things and exploring different interests? Are you stepping outside of your comfort zone?
- Balance: Are you finding a balance between work, relationships, and hobbies? Are you allocating time for activities you enjoy?
Personal Branding and Identity
- Personal Brand: Are you consciously building a personal brand? How do you want to be perceived by others?
- Identity Exploration: Are you comfortable with your identity? Are you exploring different aspects of yourself and embracing who you are?
- Authenticity: Are you being true to yourself and avoiding pretending to be someone you’re not?
Future Planning and Goals
- Long-Term Goals: Do you have clear long-term goals for your life? Are you taking steps to achieve them?
- Career Planning: Are you satisfied with your career path? Are you actively seeking opportunities for growth and development?
- Life Purpose: Are you considering your life purpose and legacy? What do you want to be remembered for?
Emotional Intelligence
- Self-Awareness: Are you aware of your emotions and how they influence your behaviour? Can you identify and manage your feelings effectively?
- Empathy: Are you able to understand and share the feelings of others? Can you connect with people on an emotional level?
- Relationship Management: Are you able to build and maintain healthy relationships? Can you resolve conflicts peacefully and effectively?
Personal Finance and Wealth
- Financial Goals: Do you have clear financial goals and a plan to achieve them? Are you managing your money effectively?
- Investing and Savings: Are you investing in your future? Are you saving for retirement, emergencies, or other goals?
- Debt Management: Are you managing your debt responsibly? Are you working to reduce your financial burdens?
Work-Life Balance
- Time Management: Are you effectively managing your time and prioritizing tasks? Are you avoiding burnout?
- Stress Management: Are you managing stress in healthy ways? Are you taking breaks and practicing self-care?
- Work-Life Integration: Are you finding a balance between work and personal life? Are you able to enjoy both aspects of your life?
Personal Safety and Security
- Physical Safety: Are you taking steps to ensure your physical safety? Are you aware of potential risks and taking precautions?
- Digital Security: Are you protecting your personal information online? Are you aware of cyber threats and taking steps to prevent them?
- Emotional Safety: Are you feeling emotionally safe and secure in your relationships and environment? Are you surrounded by supportive people?
Tracking and Reflection
- Journaling: Are you regularly journaling to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences? If you are struggling with journaling prompts, here’s something to tweak your creativity – 99 Self-Love Journal Prompts.
- Goal Setting: Have you set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals? Are you tracking your progress?
- Review and Adjustment: Are you regularly reviewing your life audit and making necessary adjustments to your goals and priorities?
Note: This checklist is designed to offer a broad overview of various life areas. Feel free to customize and add questions based on your specific goals and priorities.
Resources To Help – Life Audit Templates
Having a personal life audit checklist sorted can provide invaluable clarity and direction. But for those of you who need online inspirations, fortunately, there are numerous life audit templates available online to help you assess various aspects of your life, from career goals to personal relationships. (5)
These templates offer structured questions and prompts to guide your self-reflection. Conducting this life audit will help you gain a deeper understanding of your values, priorities, and aspirations.
So, don’t wait any longer and start your journey towards a more fulfilling life with a life audit template today!
Let’s Make Everyday Worth Living!
As you conclude your life audit, take a moment to reflect on the insights and discoveries you’ve made. You’ve delved deep into various aspects of your life, from your personal values to your career goals. This introspection is a powerful tool for growth and self-awareness.
Remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “Do one thing every day that scares you.” So when you face your fears and step outside of your comfort zone, you can unlock your full potential and live a more vibrant life.
A life audit is never a one-time event but a continuous process. So, continue to revisit and refine your goals as your circumstances change and your understanding of yourself deepens. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth. With each step, you’re creating a life that is truly worth living.
