How are you? That’s it. That’s the test.

We’re asked that question frequently, in many ways and forms. Today’s version might be “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?” or “Sup?”. Around the world it is a simple way to gauge a person’s well-being. ¿Cómo estás? Wie geht’s? Jambo habari?

So, Sup?

How would you describe your current state of well-being? And by well-being, I mean your state of happiness, comfort, and self-worth.

The “how are you?” question generally generates one of four responses:

• I’m not well.
• I’m ok.
• I’m good!
• I’m great!

“I’m not well” is an indication of some kind of struggling. Maybe a physical concern or relational, financial or any one of a number of areas of your life that are out of whack. You might even say you’re failing.

“I’m ok”, or “mmmk,” many times is accompanied by a sigh or a shoulder shrug. It’s a brief way of indicating you are just getting by or subsisting or maybe even stuck. Subsisting means to be maintaining at a minimal level.  You’re not feeling awful, but you certainly aren’t feeling chipper either!

“I’m good!” (notice the exclamation mark) usually is delivered with a level of energy or even a smile. There isn’t currently anything to complain about. You are generally satisfied with the way life is going.

“I’m great!” is something people go out of their way to say when life is exceptionally good and the future looks very bright. It’s a phrase for people who are soaring.

So back to the test. How are you?

Struggling? Subsisting? Satisfied? Soaring?

This idea…that well-being can be simply measured and enhanced…has become instrumental in the personal coaching I am doing more and more of lately. I am offering year-long life and executive coaching to people who are alums of my Calling Quilt process. Once we establish the “how are you?” test results, we then begin to explore and work on the 6 key life factors that, when addressed, begin to enhance their sense of well-being. Here they are:

In no certain order…

• Your physical health
• Your inner world
• Your relationships
• Your sense of order
• Your finances
• Your purpose

Using those 6 factors as gauges, can we go a little deeper on your sense of well-being?

In your physical health are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

In your inner world (mind, heart & soul) are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

In your relationships are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

In your sense of order (vs. chaos and disarray) are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

In your finances are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

In your purpose (including job and career) are you struggling? subsisting? satisfied? or soaring?

Maybe the test isn’t that simple after all!

Regardless of where you currently fall on the well-being spectrum, I’d like to invite you to stay tuned to this blog and newsletter throughout this summer of 2021. For the next three months we’ll seek to diagnose our well-being. And, assuming you want to enhance yours, explore the ways we can focus on each of those 6 life factors to raise our “What’s up?” answer beyond struggling or subsisting to satisfied and maybe even soaring!

Oh, and if you are intrigued by the thought of receiving some life coaching or executive coaching from me, reach out! Let’s talk.

We can start by asking each other…”how’s it going?”

Until then, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this idea. Don’t forget to leave a comment in the blog or on social media. Or, hit me up with an email!

I truly hope you have a satisfying summer!