The Four Anchors
We have previously discussed and made reference to “The Four Anchors.” I have long believed in and worked on my anchors. Only recently, with more reading and studying, have I learned that these anchors have more of a scientific, physiological, and psychological basis that I realized.
This article will attempt to briefly follow up and further identify each of the anchors. My four anchors that we have frequently discussed on this site are 1) family (also social), 2) spiritual, 3) physical and 4) professional (also work). I have used these anchors as a foundation for direction, decision making, and lifestyle.
With the help of my friend, Dr. Joseph Maroon, in his book The Longevity Factor, which I referenced last week, I have been led to further readings and discussions regarding the four anchors. In Joe’s book he called the four anchors a four-square life. Other writers and researchers call it balance. Most all religions, and including Eastern philosophies, include these same concepts in describing a balanced life.
In the coming weeks we will focus on each of the four anchors, and then will work on balancing and integrating them into our lives. These four anchors become the ongoing foundation for everything we do and how we pursue life. We need to study and learn them in a way that they become part of everything we do.
The finding, reviewing, and pursuing life through the four anchors makes everything fit together better, and gives us much more meaning. Further, using the anchors as a template for goals and decision making makes life much easier. I look forward to learning and growing more as we discuss each of the anchors and how they fit into our lives.
Always pursuing the anchors,
David

[...] The spiritual anchor has an enormous impact on getting balance in your life. To fully discuss the impact of spirituality [...]
By: The Spiritual Anchor « Ironman for Life! on July 20, 2009
at 6:22 am
[...] Our next of our four anchors is the professional, or work, anchor. Our work in many ways defines us, but also at the same time [...]
By: The Professional Anchor « Ironman for Life! on July 26, 2009
at 11:25 pm
[...] Our fourth and last in our series on the four anchors is the physical anchor. The physical anchor focuses on our physical health and well-being. The [...]
By: The Physical Anchor « Ironman for Life! on August 10, 2009
at 5:53 am
[...] We aren’t quite finished with the Four Anchors just yet! Remember that the goal is achieving balance for a life of fulfillment and satisfaction. I [...]
By: Total Integration « Ironman for Life! on August 17, 2009
at 6:04 am
[...] that is the best lesson from this experience – design and construct your life in such a way (The Four Anchors)in which you always know you have a welcome awaiting regardless of the storms we [...]
By: The Eye Of The Storm « Ironman for Life! on August 24, 2009
at 4:39 am
[...] success is a life filled with fulfillment and satisfaction. This is best found when we balance our four anchors. If we are able to optimize our spiritual, professional, family, and physical aspects we will [...]
By: Success « Ironman for Life! on September 8, 2009
at 9:49 am
[...] then we run the process of neutral or better, or, neutral or worse through the framework of our four anchors. In essence what we have done is taken a decision-making process and applied it to the aspects in [...]
By: Decision Map « Ironman for Life! on September 14, 2009
at 5:50 am
[...] for a more productive and satisfying life. The building block process applies to each of our four anchors – the physical, spiritual, professional, and family aspects of [...]
By: Building Blocks « Ironman for Life! on September 28, 2009
at 6:22 am
[...] Teamwork is part of success in sports, and in all aspects of life. Through teamwork we learn many of the values that we carry through all of our pursuits in life. Teamwork is essential in maximizing the various aspects of our Four Anchors. [...]
By: Team Appreciation « Ironman for Life! on October 7, 2009
at 10:14 am
[...] giant steps to take. They can be taken professionally, socially, physically, and spiritually (aka The Four Anchors). One of the great secrets in life is to surround ourselves with others who are willing to take, as [...]
By: Giant Steps « Ironman for Life! on October 19, 2009
at 5:53 am
[...] We have previously discussed our foundational values in our series of articles on The Four Anchors. As a continuation of that theme let’s review our value components to help us further explore [...]
By: Value Components « Ironman for Life! on November 16, 2009
at 7:05 am