Wellness, the overall feeling of health and well being, is made up of many dimensions all of which need to be addressed. Dr. John Travis, one of the founders of the American wellness movement, maintains that there are twelve dimensions of wellness which are interrelated. A change in the status of one dimension, positively or negatively, affects change in other dimensions. Consciously or unconsciously, you probably give some of the dimensions your attention and neglect or are unaware of others.

For example, good nutrition yields sustained energy. Sustained energy enables and initiates more and better movement (exercise). Better movement not only relieves tension, stress, and anxiety, but creates a sense of peace. Peace in turn helps to enable better rest, clarity, and problem resolution. Clarity can also yield better communication and intimacy. Thus, all of the twelve dimensions are interrelated in some way, shape, or form.

So, while it seems that wellness is a very hot, contemporary topic, it remains largely misunderstood. Consequently, many attempts at self improvement, seem to fall short, never bringing the sense of wellness they are “supposed” to bring.

The 12 dimensions of; self responsibility and love, breathing, sensing, eating, moving, feeling, thinking, playing & working, communicating, intimacy, finding meaning, and transcending are all important. The nice thing about properly understanding wellness is that once you begin to make improvements in one area, you will open yourself up to more awareness in other dimensions! You will no doubt recognize needs in the other dimensions also.

Barbara and I are in the process of finalizing our facilitation certification in using The Wellness Inventory. We are licensed to use this wonderful tool and resource to help our clients discover a true sense of wellness and balance in their lives. Take a free tour of The Wellness Inventory by going to http://www.intouchlifecoaching.com (our home page) and clicking on “wellness inventory”. We are happy to discuss this resource with you free of charge. We can also introduce you to a cost effective way of qualifying for our wellness coaching that accompanies the inventory. You will be amazed at how many options you discover to living a happier and healthier, life.

In these difficult economic times, children in school districts are more threatened than ever before. Reduced financial aid, increased operating costs, widespread unemployment, increased health care costs, tax caps, increased state and federal mandates have forced districts into perilous financial straits. Local district response has resulted in teacher/staff layoffs, elimination or reduction of special services, privatizing transportation, postponement of raises, reduced health coverage, and increased class size. Clearly, American education is in crisis. Courage and good leadership on class, building, district, and board of education levels, are more important than ever before. There is little room for poor decision making.

In such a complicated environment, what should guide good decision making? Good decisions
are those that build the people and clients of an organization, inspiring them to perform their
very best. Good decisions also encourage creativity, teamwork, employee engagement and
bottom up problem solving. Good leaders inspire commitment to the advancement of the
organization by demonstration. Since leadership is influence, good decisions also increase the
influence of the leader. Leaders of influence have many followers who have been inspired and
who, in turn, inspire others in the organization. They also encourage others to be leaders, at
every level of the organization.

Courage, the ability to pursue an initiative, despite dire circumstances or threatening people,
is clearly required today. Getting people to perform their very best despite the demoralizing
effect of reduced staff, resources, and programs is a challenge that can be overcome by a
courageous leader. A leader shows courage and vision when pursuing the goal of building
people. Courage for standing up for what is right, and vision in knowing that the organization
will operate even more efficiently and effectively. A courageous leader pursues building the
people of the organization no matter how unpopular it is. To do anything else results in its
demise and destruction.

Our educational leaders must take off the blinders of fear, learn the lessons of the past and
boldly lead us out of the present and into the future.