Plan of Life Explanation
Objective: To create your own Plan of Life to ensure your daily routine includes the key ingredients to grow in holiness (transforming union with Jesus) and happiness (the possession of the good things that fulfill our human nature). (Also called Rule or Recipe of Life)
Simplify and Be Fully Alive
Happiness, Peace and Spiritual growth are the fruit of a well ordered and balanced life.
This desire [for happiness] is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it.
1. Physical Needs
a. Sleep 6-8 hrs/day
b. Personal hygiene 30 min/day
c. Eat 2 hrs/day
d. Exercise 30 min 3-5 days/week plus the commute to gym if necessary = 1hr
2. Friendship with Christ
a. 30 min/day in Meditation/Rosary
b. Frequent the Eucharist and Reconciliation
3. Human Relationships/Friendship
a. 30 minutes of quality time with spouse/day
b. 30 minutes of quality time with kids/friends
4. Meaningful Work 8-10 hrs/day
a. In the home or out
b. 1 hour for your commute
5. Knowledge - Learn about what interests you
6. Experience beauty in its many forms
7. Individuality – The unique way you pursue each good
Things to Consider
Be creative in combining two or more of these at one time (walking and talking with a spouse).
Pay attention to the ingredients in your Rule of Life.
Do you have too much of some ingredients?
Too little of others?
And in some instances - the wrong ingredients?
What ingredients do you need?
Choose those and eliminate others.
Create a recipe, rule or plan of life, that is a structure that enables you to live a well-rounded life.
“Put first things first and we get the second things thrown in; put second things first and we lose both first and second things.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Here is the Rule of Life PDF Template to print
or the Rule of Life Excel Template to create your own