The 10 Domains of Life (Personal Growth)

Hey, this is Tim Pratt Jr. and I want to welcome you to the Student of Life Podcast. Listen, we're going to get into so many transferable truths throughout the content of these episodes that I believe God is going to use to help you apply, because he's going to reveal what's already been there the entire time. Enjoy.

Hey yo, what up? So I'm your host Tim Pratt Jr. and I'm going to take a different approach with this one today. So I know that last episode dealing with tension was relatively longer, and I did another video on my YouTube page because it's just been on my heart, just that area of just holding tension, the gray areas in life, but how to still stay biblically faithful at the same time. Just have a little bit more— what I'm looking for— unity, even in some of the diverse things or how we feel that things should be carried out. Uh, because again, like I said, we can be very dogmatic and then we can be very loose with our theology. Uh, but nevertheless, man, let's jump into this episode. So, uh, actually, I— the name is— the title of this episode is The 10 Domains of Life. And if you want to put a subtitle to it, Unlocking Personal Growth and Fulfillment, or we just say Unlocking Personal Growth. So this episode is, I will say, very influenced with The 10 Domains by Michael Hyatt and a little bit of John C. Maxwell. Uh, so Michael Hyatt wrote a book called Your Best Year Ever. I mean, it came out some years ago and I used to read that book every year, almost twice a year, because that's how instrumental it was in my life of not just starting out the year, but carrying out these things. So I'm actually going to jump into it and talking about growth and fulfillment with my flavor on it, of course. But I am taking what he describes. I want to give him credit. For the 10 domains of life. And you probably also heard the 7, I think, I can't remember if it was Zig Ziglar or someone that talks about it in the wheel. So a lot of this stuff is just recycling and living through experiences and, and, and, um, kind of retweaking things of that nature. But I still think when we can speak to it from an experience standpoint versus just, especially with ChatGPT, like you can just type in anything, but I'm even learning with ChatGPT, it's still good to go do your own reading and still be a knowledgeable and be become their like subject matter expert, uh, because ChatGPT, believe it or not, it's all limited based on your understanding, your reasonability as well. Uh, so that being said, uh, let's jump into it. So the 10 Domains of Life: Unlocking Personal Growth. We'll just stay there. Uh, so I'm gonna go on and hit the 10 domains, but I'm gonna give like kind of like a little simple definition of them based coming through my lens as well. Um, so one thing I want to say is that, uh, these 10 areas, um, they influence how we live and lead, how we learn, and just really approach life. Like, they are all connected, and we can see integration, uh, throughout the scriptures with Jesus. You know, even the one, love God, love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Uh, again, I'm not gonna get deep, like theological in that, but we see integration in the scriptures. And so, um, with these 10 domains, I want you to think of it through that same lens. Like, again, they're all connected, uh, and neglecting one will often show up in the other. However, it's all about balance. Um, now some of them we probably are going to do a little bit more than others, but the main thing is that we have to make sure we don't neglect them. But again, like, you might have your top 2 or 3. So I'm going to start with spiritual. So for me, this is foundational, uh, being a person of faith, a believer, a devoted follower of Christ. Uh, this is what I believe our connections to Jesus. Uh, so now whatever you subscribe to, I believe Jesus is God, uh, but I do believe that you have God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I don't believe that the Father is the Son. I don't believe the Son is the Holy Spirit, and I don't believe the Holy Spirit is neither one of them. But however, I believe all three are God. That, that is what I believe that the scripture says. And I, you know, I grew up in a very dogmatic faith that really didn't believe in the Holy Spirit. Of course, things transitioned, so I am one that I don't hold to my doctrinal beliefs and how I was taught, but what I believe I see in the scriptures myself. However, I do believe Jesus is God, and so when I say Jesus, I'm literally just saying that he— it sums up all of them. Um, so wrestle with that if you want to. If maybe this might make you shut it off right there. Again, we can have that conversation offline. Um, so, but I believe this is important because this is the connection to God. So when I say I'm praying to the Holy Spirit, I'm praying to Jesus, my connection, essentially I am talking about God. It is foundation for me. It might not be for you. Some people believe in spirituality, some people might believe in something else, but for me this is foundation. So when my spiritual life is anchored it affects everything I do, the way I see life, the way I filter things. Everything has to be filtered through the Bible. Uh, this is what, like, my purpose, all of that. Now I'm not getting into like the whole how everybody's trying to find their purpose. I think if we spend time in the scriptures, we all have a purpose. Uh, what we're looking for is how to carry it out through different assignments. Uh, so I'm not seeking my purpose, I'm just seeking what is my assignment, and that could change. Uh, so my peace and perspective. So, okay, I'm gonna move a little bit faster now. Uh, intellectual. Uh, so this is how, you know, we're engaging the mind. Like, are you learning? Are you growing? Are you wrestling with ideas? Are you thinking about your thinking? Like, just all this type of stuff. You have the emotional. Uh, this— so this is kind of the— what I would say the internal world. Some might say, well, kind of like look at it from a soul perspective. Uh, but are you aware of your feelings? Because truthfully, our emotions sometimes, like, they're not even attached to reality. But God did give us a brain, so can we think biblically? Can we reason? Can we think logical? Uh, I believe we should think first, so intellectual. That's why I have that one over this one, because a lot of times we're governed by— when we're governed by emotions or what we feel, uh, we don't think. We end up making irrational decisions, and a lot of times the decisions that we deeply, deeply regret and can hurt others as well as ourselves. Uh, so are you building that emotional resilience? Uh, physical— your body matters. Uh, so you can't pour from an empty cup. Uh, if you— I think I just did a little video on about, uh, silence and solitude. Like, a lot of times we think we're better than Jesus. So even in his humanity, with him being fully God and fully man, he still had limitations in the body. That's why we see scriptures where he would withdraw— he withdrew himself and things of that nature. So physical health helps support everything else. Um, marital. So a lot— now some of you, you're not married, uh, but if you are married, uh, this is a huge domain as well because, uh, it is a key relationship. I would even say your primary relationship outside of God and your kids. Uh, I'm a person where I believe that, like, now this can get— because we live in a lot of world of blended families and all this type of stuff now Um, but if things are done biblically and it's done according to the order of God— and what I mean by that, like, if both spouses are truly submitted and following God, uh, this is just the way I understand it, uh, I believe that it's God, the husband, the wife, and the kids. But this is not about— and I'm not going to get into that, we're going to unpack that later— but this is not about the husband making the wife Um, let me— can I say that this is not about the husband making it feel like the wife had to choose between him and the kids, and vice versa? It's not the wife making the husband feel like— it should be that both should be on one accord, and when they are better and stronger together, then they're better for the kids, and the whole household wins. That, that's what I— that's why I look at that, uh, parental. So again, if you have kids, this one, uh, matters as well. It matters deeply. How are you investing in them and learning, uh,, from them as well as like going out. How many parenting books are you reading? Again, going back to other— how many marital books or just podcasts and things of that are you, uh, leaning into and, and reading and, and things of that nature? Uh, social— who are the people? Um, let me see, how can I act this— who are your people? Um, like who's helping cultivate you in real life? Iron sharpens iron. So, uh, like just real life-giving relationships, or do you have a lot of draining relationships? Uh, now I don't want to get too much into this, but sometimes, uh, it's a principle I learned from, from Darren Hardy here in The Compound Effect that sometimes we like— I can't remember like word for word because it just came to me, but sometimes we have people that are— should be like 3-hour friends. Uh, no, we have people that are like 33-minute friends and we end up letting them be 3-hour friends. And what he means by that is that A lot of time they're so draining that like we like them, we like their presence, but because of where their life are and it's not a life-giving relationship, they end up becoming like kind of like a parasite. They suck life out. And so you want to make sure, again, this is not about being better than anyone, but this is like you want to make sure you're prioritizing your, your social, uh, relationships, uh, rightly. So if you have a lot of people that are always take, take, take, who is life-giving to you? Um, vocational. So this is your work, uh, not just your job, but with some of us believe like a calling, assignment. Um, you know, how are you showing up there? Um, like you just like, what has God called you to in this season? Again, remember, assignments can change, but again, this is vocational. Uh, avocational, you know, what restores you? What's your hobbies? What's your passion? Like creativity. What helps you disconnect? Uh, these things like They're very essential. I mean, really, truthfully, like, they aren't— it's not anything that we should look at as like, oh, that's just extra, that's like leisure, I shouldn't be doing it. No, these things a lot of times really help restore us. So we should have something. Like, mine really is coffee shops and journaling and reading. And I'm just now getting into— like, well, I'm not just now getting into, I just haven't been in a while— but golf and things of that nature. And then the last one is financial. Now, this one is huge as well. It probably could have been up at the top. Uh, with like, I'm only in the top 3 or 4, uh, but are you stewarding your resources well? Like, not just earning, but are you, uh, giving? Or, well, first of all, are you saving? Are you investing? Are you, um, able to give? And all these type of natures like that, you know. And spending with a purpose, uh, do you just spend reckless? Like, do you, uh, automate your stuff? And I know some people don't like the word budget, but depending on your financial stewardship It's kind of what I would recommend. I used to be really, really deep into that, not as much as I used to anymore. But again, um, all these areas matter. Like, just being straight up, one of you, every one of these areas play a big part. Like, they play into the bigger picture is what I'm trying to say. They all impact each other. Uh, so just think about it like this: when you're emotionally drained, it affects your relationships. Like, think about it. Like, when you're— if I'm— I heard somebody today when I was in Walmart saying like, I'm just tired of being tired. And so you could just literally sit on them. It's not funny like in that sense, but I'm kind of like laughing because I know what they feel like. Uh, when I'm very emotional and physically drained, mentally drained or whatever, like I really don't want to engage in social activities. I don't want to engage in avocational, uh, activities or that nature. Um, so we have to think about that. Again, finances— when the finances are drained or depleted, a lot of times it turns into arguments. You can't really do things with the kids. Uh, it leads into taking on more vocational work. Um, and this might end up taking on more vocational work, it might get you more from your spiritual and intellectual. So all of these domains, they, they touch each other to some degree, like So again, when you're physically healthy and you're poor, your energy drops and all that type of stuff. And then again, when you, when you grow in one domain, others often grow. So for example, if I start to get in shape physically and I'm emotionally healthy, I'm kind of reading things and becoming intellectual, like, come on, like, I'm, you know, I'm, I'm, and I'm, that spiritual grounding, it's probably, it's going to 9 times out of 10, if not 10 times out of 10, show up in my marriage. I'm probably going to start making, figuring out ways to make more money or saving more money or changing my finances. So again, You see the point that I'm making, um, because I want to move on. Um, so what I believe, if you spend some time— and I know I was talking kind of fast, I, I'm striving to work on it, uh, but I want to kind of just again get through those. So I'm gonna slow it down a little bit intentionally here. Um, so one of the biggest things in, uh, if you had to slow this podcast episode down and then now come back here, is that, um, oftentimes what, what I have had to learn— and this is just my experience, and this is another thing Michael Hyatt said in the book— clarity often comes in degrees. This is a Kanban principle where I work in the context of agile agility. Start where you are. That's where growth begins. Like, you— we have to start where we are. You have to be honest about where you are, and a lot of people stay entrapped in these domains because they are afraid to confront where they are. Now, this is what I tell people: start where you are. Pull out a pen and paper, and then I want you to think about where you wish you were. Like, just, like, just think about where you wish you were. Like, like, see that gap, and then you work your way in the middle, and, and you just kind of have a conversation. But again, we want to start where we are We want to start where we exactly are, not where we want to be, because again, people do that, and not where we used to be, but where we are right now. And then in that, I want you just to go a little bit extra and think about, you know, where you probably come from and then where you want to be, and just kind of have that tension in that conversation. But outside of that, I want you to kind of come back and say, okay, this is where we are.

And I—

and the reason why I'm saying that is because a lot of times I think it's good to just go ahead and confront, because, um, a lot of times we live too much in the past of how things used to be, and this is what makes us live in that vein. If I just would have known this, if I just would have known this. And that's true, but I'm even learning that I'm like, you know, it is what it is on that. Uh, and then sometimes we just live too much in the future. And so I just think it's a good exercise, but like, we just want to start with clarity to go ahead and get all of that out the way, but then we want to bring it back to where we are. And so, like, for example, maybe you feel, uh, stuck in your career right now, you know. Maybe your marriage is, is fine, or maybe it's on the rocks, but it's not thriving, you know. Um, and when I say— well, I'm sorry, maybe your marriage is fine but it's not thriving, or maybe it's on the rocks and you're, you're probably leading to a divorce, you know. Maybe spiritually you're just going through the motions and not really seeking formation, you know. Maybe you're 'Cause you're confusing the indwelling with the filling of the Holy Spirit. And what I mean by that, um, again, not trying to really get into a lot of theological, um, and doctrinal debates in this episode, but I just believe that filling comes with a level of continuation of sensitivity. Sometimes people think just because they said they were filled one time that they're consistently filled, but we leak. Like, and again, we can, we can prove this with scripture, But what happens is people just go through the motions, and then we kind of turn into church junkies and things of that nature, um, versus truly feeding on God's word and wrestling with it and living a life of intentionality with, uh, trying to look more and more like Christ by taking up our cross and dying to ourselves daily, like modeling Christlikeness. Like, we're not Jesus, but we should be Christlike. And so When you have all of that, uh, whatever it is, you know, clarity just gives you the power to choose what's next. So when I, when I can really start where I'm at, then I can start thinking about the next steps. Now here I am, I'm trying to move to my desired state. Like, like, just maybe think— don't think 10 years out, just maybe think the next year or 2 years, you know, and, and just go from there. Because again, here it goes, clarity, clarity comes in degrees, degrees. And Zig Ziglar said it best: if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every single time. So when you name it, I just believe we can face it. And once we face it, we can start to change it. I like that. When we name it, we can start to face it. And when we face it, we can start to change it through the power of God. So, uh, so man, like, just being real with you, like, here's the straight up truth: any area in our life can improve if we are willing to bring it up and confront it. Now again, if you're not a super spiritual person, cool. I'm one. Hey, if I bring it to the light of God and also bring it to community— and what I mean by community, like people that can really hold me accountable and really push me— because what's easy to do is also easy not to do. I'm gonna say that again. I think it was Jim Rohn: what's easy to do, it's also easy not to do. So we want to be disciplined. Like, discipline is what gives us the ability to do the very thing that we might not want to do. It, it, it helps us do the necessary thing that needs to be done in that moment. So sometimes discipline might look like, okay, I need to do this, and sometimes this one might be like, I don't need to do this. Uh, self-control— some people get into it like with self-discipline, self-control. Uh, but let me, let me say this again because I know some of you have, uh, like, like just being straight up probably just contemplated like, I'm just gonna settle here, like, but no, Any area of your life can grow with intentionality, with self-control and self-discipline. Any area in your life can grow. It— listen, it won't change fast and it won't always be easy. Like, that's just the truth of the matter. But continuous improvement— with continuous improvement, if we be consistent and not consistently inconsistent we will see improvement by the grace of God. And then also too, it's a principle. Even people that don't believe in Christ see improvement. Like, that's just the reality of it. I'm not going to overspiritualize things, uh, for you. The Bible never told us we couldn't prosper in our own ways, but it did say we'll be cut off. So what I am trying to say here is that improvement is possible, but it's just so much better, in my humble— you can say opinion— But in my understanding, I just believe it's better with Christ. So progress happens when we stop waiting for just all the perfect conditions. Things are never gonna be perfect. I've been in technology my whole life, and one thing that is true is change. I don't care what your plan is, I don't care what you set out to be, life is always going to happen, but it comes down from intentionality, is living in a space of like understanding your no, understanding the power of your yes, like all these type of things we really have to think, having tough and real conversation, the conversation. So progress happens when we start waiting for the perfect conditions and we start working what we have, going back to Facing It. Um, so basically, um, with this whole 10 domains of life, like when we grow, when you really think about it when we start to do the work and we grow internal, everything around us starts to change. Like, I mean, even prayer— like, you've heard people say, like, prayer don't always change things, but it changes us, and we then we start seeing things different. So I think it's the same mindset. Again, kind of quoting Michael Hyatt here, uh, draw a different set of, uh, draw a different set of circumstances. Oh man, I wish I had that quote and I don't have it now. I'm about to butcher it. I'm not gonna edit this out, but it's something along the lines of draw a different, like, point of reference around the same circumstances, and we'll see new pathways. That's it. Something like that. Draw a different, uh, point of view, point of reference around the same circumstances, and new pathways will start to follow. That comes from growth. Like, have you ever just kind of been stuck and seeing something, then you talk to people that can challenge you, and when they're not a yes man and you, you make it comfortable, and you even sometimes you have to go as far as to give people permission because People can be reading you and say, well, I don't think that— they don't really come off as if they like to be corrected in those nature. But then you just hear them talk, or you go out and you seek things outside the box, and you're like, wow, I never looked at it like that. That is why I love learning. Now, sometimes you can fall into the trap of just overlearning and never making a decision. So it's a balance. But again, when you grow, everything around you starts to change. Like, you start to feel more confident. Again, not arrogant. But just more centered, more posture to like, oh man, this is actually achievable. You can become more joyful, not because life is perfect, none of that. Again, Jesus never said that it would be easy, but because we're not stuck. It feels like we're moving, it feels like we're maturing, and these things of that nature. And you just feel more whole because you just, you, you feel aligned with God if you're a spiritual person. And that you're not going through these again, these fragmented emotions, feeling like you're just different people and all this type stuff. You're just living with a life of intentionality. And I— right there, let me pause. Um, my brother Caleb— my brother Caleb, it's a podcast, uh, it's an episode, few episodes, some seasons back. But man, when I— I listened to that episode not too long ago, uh, and it's— I just feel like it's timeless, man. Like, the, the, uh, power of intention. I think it was— I believe it's called Intentional Living. Like Caleb is just different. Like, I'm just gonna leave it at that. Go back and just check that episode out, uh, it'll bless you. Uh, and so then, like, just think about life here. Uh, the, the secret— it's not even a secret, I hate that I'm using some of this new age stuff. Uh, but one of the key things is, is that, um, life is not about chasing balance. Like, truth be told, things will never be in balance. Like, I spend more time at work than I do with my own family, straight up. But at the same time, can I spend intentional time with my family? Uh, my kids, they at school most of the time. My work— I mean, my wife, you know, all these type of things. In this ministry, it's people pulling on us, not in a bad way, but we pull on people, uh, for lack of better terms. So it's not about balance, I just think it's about rhythm, it's about integration. Uh, but it primarily is living in a rhythm, finding that rhythm that, that, that, um, just that we can sustain and just keep, um, practicing through the grace of God. Um, so I just, I just want to say that like it's— Lord help me— uh, it's growing in awareness and just living intentionally in every domain. So that's what I believe at its core, um, of what the— like just living life in these 10 domains or thinking about these 10 domains and just growing and like growing with intentionality and fulfillment, like, we just have to make sure that we start where we are. And as we live, as we stay intentional, I just believe by the grace of God we'll have that clarity. Uh, so, man, as we wrap up this episode, uh, just a few things I want you to remember. Don't define yourself by your work. You are more than where you work at. Like, a lot of times we let that become our identity. You're more than your bank account. You're more than your emotions. You are a whole integrated person with a whole life that God has given you, uh, and God has designed every part of you, and he has designed every part of you to grow, to submit yourself to him, to abide in him. And he's going to purge you. He's going to cut things off that don't need to be. He's going to keep conforming you. He's gonna— again, spiritual maturity is plugging in with him. And community, searching out people that like can really pour into you and challenge you so you can be there for people and do the same thing in return, to be— so we can be a conduit, not a cul-de-sac. So let's just commit to being honest where we are, like straight up. Let's, let's commit to being honest where we are, you know. Let's believe that progress is possible, and let's like truly submit every part of our lives to God. Every part of our lives deserves attention. Like, it, it deserves attention. We have to bring these things up because that is where I truly believe fulfillment lives. That is what I believe the Holy Spirit wants, uh, for those that are spiritual. And if you're not, that is where I believe fulfillment lives. Um, so thanks for tuning in. Like, I really want to appreciate you all. Listen, Thanks for tuning in to this, man. Like, I was supposed to drop this episode back in January and I didn't, but I, I wanted to. I believe this is timing now. Um, so I know I'm trying to keep this one like real deal under 30 minutes. I'm trying to get down to that 20 minutes, but your boy can talk too much sometimes. Uh, but I'm gonna keep working on just, you know, whatever. I'm just gonna keep working on it. Uh, but if this episode encouraged you and you know somebody is struggling or don't really understand like the integration of life and want to just talk about it from a simplistic term, I want to encourage you, like, and I know this is on the outro, but I'm asking you all, man, please share this with one friend and ask them if it touched them to share with one friend. That's all I'm asking. Um, I'm gonna keep doing these again. I'm more likely moving from the season format, um, to trying to do one episode a month, possibly two. We'll see. I might drop one more and it might— it's going to go back more kind of on the faith-based side, but I had to drop this one to kind of just around development. Uh, so again, if this bless you, share with one friend, and if it blesses them, I'm asking you to ask them to share with one friend. Subscribe, rate it, man, it helps me out.

I love you all.

I love you all. I love you all, like, and I'm praying for you all. Uh, and I just want you to take a moment, like this week, if right after this episode, if you can, to just reflect on one domain you would like to focus on. But until next time, like, straight up with you all, man, just keep growing, keep showing up, and becoming the person that God made you to be. Be blessed. Hey, what's up?

I want to thank you for taking the time to listen to the Student Life Podcast today. If this content has impacted you in any kind of way, please take some time to share it on your social media feeds. And also, if you want to connect with me or just learn more about me, go over to www.timothypratt.org. Once again, thanks.