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Summer is in full swing, and the change in mood is palpable. The days are longer, the weather’s warmer, and many of us are leaning into the lighter, more relaxed pace that comes with BBQs, seaside trips, and time away from work. It’s a time to unwind and reconnect with friends, family, and even ourselves.
A couple of weeks ago, a group of us from James Todd & Co took an evening off to support one of our own. Our colleague, Alex Dassow, was performing in Beauty and the Beast with his amateur dramatics’ society on Hayling Island. It was a fantastic show and a great opportunity to enjoy something a little different. Watching Alex shine on stage doing something he loves was genuinely uplifting and a lovely reminder that there’s more to each of us than just our day jobs.
More than that, it gave us time to relax together, catch up properly, and share stories outside of the usual hustle and bustle of client work, deadlines, and emails. As accountants, we’re usually head-down and focused, so moments like these are important. They help us press pause and connect with each other as people.
The Work/Life Balance Conversation
Experiences like that evening with Alex have prompted us to think more deeply about work/life balance – something that feels especially relevant during the summer months. At James Todd & Co, we’ve been looking at ways we can support better balance within the team. Small adjustments, like changing our working hours so people can leave earlier, are already making a difference. We’ve also introduced more regular team events, some focused-on fun, others on health and wellbeing.
We’ve even added a suggestions board in the office, where team members can pin up ideas for activities they’d love to see us try. From team walks to themed lunches and charity events, we’re looking forward to working through the list.
Today, for example, we’re celebrating with our annual summer event with a hog roast complete with outdoor games, drinks, and the chance to mingle with both new and long-standing team members. As our practice grows, it’s more important than ever to carve out time to connect on a personal level, build relationships, and welcome new faces into our culture.
The Flip Side of Summer
While summer can be a time for rest and rejuvenation, it can also bring pressure, especially for business owners. Taking time off sounds lovely, but in reality, it often means working harder in the lead-up and doubling efforts on your return. Many of us find ourselves starting earlier or finishing later to make room for family events or holidays, which can feel like a juggling act.
Sometimes, there simply isn’t space for the fun stuff. When you’re in the thick of keeping your business running, maintaining profitability, and supporting your team, the idea of balance can feel out of reach. It’s during these times that it’s helpful to think about what true wealth really means.
What Is True Wealth?
We often associate the word “wealth” with finances and while financial stability is undeniably important, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. True wealth includes our relationships, health, time, purpose, and overall wellbeing.
A useful tool for evaluating where we stand in life and business is the Wheel of Life. Originally created by Paul J. Meyer, a personal development pioneer, this simple visual tool helps assess satisfaction across different areas of your life. It allows you to identify where things are working well and where attention might be needed.
The Wheel of Life: A Practical Tool for Rebalancing
The Wheel of Life is usually divided into 6 to 10 categories, such as: health, career, finances, relationships, personal growth, fun/recreation, and environment. You rate your current satisfaction in each area, then plot your scores on a circular graph. The result is a “wheel” that shows whether your life is rolling smoothly or if it’s a bit wobbly in places.
It’s a quick, visual way to conduct a personal life audit and gain insight into where to set your goals. Most of us naturally gravitate toward areas we’re already strong in. You might be on top of your physical health but neglect your friendships. Or perhaps you’re thriving professionally but running on empty emotionally. The Wheel of Life helps highlight these imbalances so you can create a plan to address them.
You can use a standard version or customise your own categories based on what’s most relevant to you right now. Just make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself – more than 10 categories can dilute your focus, while too few may cause you to overlook something important.
Why Balance Matters
Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs suggests that when our basic needs aren’t met, it affects our overall wellbeing and can lead to anxiety, burnout, or even depression. The Wheel of Life helps draw our attention back to these needs, encouraging a more balanced approach to growth and fulfilment.
When life feels out of sync, using this tool – even just once or twice a year – can be incredibly grounding. It’s a reminder to take a step back, realign your priorities, and create space for the things that truly matter.
Support When You Need It
At James Todd & Co, we know that balancing the demands of business, family, and personal wellbeing isn’t always easy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, under pressure, or just unsure where to start, tools like the Wheel of Life can be a powerful first step. And if you’d like help reviewing your finances or planning for more holistic wealth – financial and beyond – contact us, our team is always here to support you.
In the meantime, we hope you’re finding time to enjoy the sunshine, reconnect with what matters most, and maybe even start your own journey toward a more balanced life.