5 Questions That Show If You're Making a Life

“Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.” John Wooden

Don't look now, but we're wrapping up the second month of the year!  Can't you feel the time racing past?

I don't know about you, but when I put my head down at work, I often look up at the end of the day and wonder where the time went.  I feel as though I can see my kids grow up while I'm watching, and new creases show up on my face at an alarming pace.

Even on days when time feels like it's passing slowly, the years still seem to fly.

I don't want 2013 to disappear while I'm busy reading my Twitter feed. I want to make intentional decisions about how I'm SPENDING my time.

To help with my overall awareness, I'm beginning to look at each week with a critical eye and asking myself some tough questions; for example...

• Did I make myself available to someone in need?
• Can I make any "non-routine" investment in my marriage?
• If my kids were asked if they felt like I was "around," how would they answer?
• Am I getting enough rest?
• Did I communicate to friends, co-workers, family that I'm "busy?"

These questions aren't a "test" to make me feel that I passed or failed,  but more like a car gauge to indicate where I might be straining the engine. So far the exercise hasn't been as encouraging as I had hoped, but it's good to at least know that I need to make some adjustments.

Do you routinely take an inventory on whether you're "making a life?" What are the questions you ask?