cies, we possess consciousness and a powerful imagination. As a result, we have developed a complex, demand
ing, and often convoluted lifestyle comprised of eight major sectors, four internal and four external.
Internal Sectors External Sectors
1. Physical 5. Professional
2. Biological 6. Personal
3. Spiritual 7. Financial
4. Emotional 8. Social
In examining these aspects of our lives, it is incumbent upon each of us to recognize their relative signifi
cance. Part of our mission is to be vigilant in monitoring the ongoing activities in each sector, so we can man
age and balance them appropriately, in our best interest. Unfortunately, few of us remain sensible and humble
enough to keep all the sectors of our lives balanced. Success in one or two sectors often goes to our heads, and
we assume that these strong aspects can support the other, weaker sectors and carry us forward without a hitch.
This approach to life is, however, short-sighted and unrealistic. Even physicians, lawyers, scientists, and engi
neers, who are successful by virtue of their intellectual talents rather than their physical talents, have to pay at
tention to the biological and emotional sectors of their lives in order to protect their health and sanity. Similarly,
while appearance may not be a crucial factor in their professional success, it is in their best interest to follow a
proper dress code and a neatly manicured appearance to maintain credibility.
1. The physical sector is comprised of physical traits such as height, weight, hair and eye color, and
complexion. To make a decent living, an individual who is in show business or politics needs to pay careful at
tention to the physical sector, whereas, physicians, scientists, and engineers must rely on their intellect more so
than their appearance. Simple measures, such as exercise and nutrition can help manage this sector during our
youth. However, in our current culture, in which a youthful appearance is exalted, the aging process cannot help
but affect those who make a living based on physical appearance. Television and movie actors often resort to
minor plastic surgery and hair coloring to keep them competitive. Professional actors, models, and other public figures have an incentive to manage the physical sector as
long as they are making a living out of it. Once they retire or lose popularity, many become depressed and so
cially isolated, possibly gaining an unhealthy amount of weight or falling into alcoholism or drug addiction.
Such a reaction indicates an imbalance among the eight sectors of life. Even when people who depend on their
physical appearances are at the height of their careers, they must also pay attention to and properly manage the
other aspects of life, especially the spiritual, emotional, and financial sectors. In doing so, they will guarantee
that their spirits will remain intact and they will be financially secure even if they are no longer popular.
2. The biological sector includes the functioning of our physical bodies—the proper workings of the
heart, lungs, kidney, brain, and other organs. Those of us who have biological issues, for example diabetes,
must pay more attention to this sector and adjust accordingly, whether that means monitoring our diets, exercis
ing, and learning how to maintain normal blood-sugar levels. Anyone with chronic health problems, no matter
how successful he is professionally and financially, must manage this sector carefully, or it will cause his down
fall. Of course, the healthy among us must monitor this sector as well, but we will not need to devote so much
time to it.
3. The spiritual sector refers to our relationship with our Maker. Having a personal connection with a
higher power is a must for individuals from all walks of life, at all times, on all occasions. There is no exception
to this rule. Feeling the presence of such a power puts our ego in its place in the scheme of things. Only when
the ego has been tempered can we see ourselves, Nature, and the World with clear vision.
4. The emotional sector of a successful individual includes a pragmatic outlook and a healthy attitude
that set that person apart from a failure. For example, a smoker knows rationally that cigarettes are bad for her
health. But she will not succeed at quitting smoking until she believes this argument on an emotional level.
Knowing facts is different than believing them, because knowledge is the rational intellect’s domain, whereas
belief is the domain of the irrational emotions. Our beliefs rather than our knowledge drive us to take action and
win battles. When we are balanced emotionally, we consider input from instincts and intellect as well as emo
tion in order to make proper decisions in our own best interest. When all three divisions of the mind cooperate
with each other, no task—including quitting smoking—is too big. On the contrary, a lopsided emotional sector controlled by the pursuit of pleasure and the thrill of danger overpowers the intellect and will not allow it to
stop smoking.
While every emotion we possess has a crucial role to play, balance is key. For instance, jealousy has the
reputation of a leper. But a touch of jealousy inspires us to best the competition. On the other hand, jealousy
that dominates the emotions causes us to lose sight of right and wrong, and could produce disastrous results.
Consider fear: An appropriate amount of fear in an appropriate context encourages us to be cautious. However,
fear run amok can only incapacitate us.
There are emotions, however, that should never prompt action, including guilt, desperation, and ven
geance. Guilt is the deep sadness and despondence we feel when we perceive that we have made a mistake. It is
a byproduct of compromised values and virtues. It is important to recognize the origin and source of our guilt—
which are like two peas in a pod—in order to move beyond it. Guilt originates in our sense of right and wrong. —
and our perception that we have crossed that line. The source of guilt is more specific. For instance, those of us
who are overly sensitive, sentimental, compassionate, and generous may feel guilty for not doing enough to stop
the pain and suffering of others—whether in relation to homelessness, world hunger, or other social ills. In such
cases, our overzealous, good-hearted nature has prompted an irrational response. Our guilt blinds us to one of
our limitations as human beings—specifically that we cannot help everyone to our satisfaction. Instead, we
must balance our irrational goals and unrealistic desires with the kinds of sensible and rational ideas that allow
us to do what we can and feel satisfied by our action.
Indulging in guilt is pointless. Guilt devours our spirit from the inside out, like a termite. It destroys our
resolve and persuades us to believe that there is no solution to our predicament and hence no salvation. Guilt
triggers stress, self-loathing, and self-deprecation. It encourages self-pity. Guilt-ridden, we lose interest in life,
experience memory loss, low self-esteem, and lack of confidence. Eventually, persistent guilt produces an over
powering sense of inferiority, which can lead to the quicksand of alcohol and drug addiction.
How do we disconnect from guilt and move forward? Having made a mistake, we have several choices.
We may, at the first sign of regret and remorse, attempt to reverse the misdeed. If we cannot undo what we have
done, or if too much time has passed to resolve the situation, we may try to make amends in other ways. Whether or not we can make amends, we must accept responsibility for our mistake and move on, hoping to have
learned from the experience.
Similarly, it is inadvisable to act out of desperation, because desperation makes us irrational, illogical
and impatient. When we are desperate, we make mistakes, cut corners, and eventually regret our actions. In a
spiritual sense, acting out of desperation is equivalent to selling your soul for a cause, which will never work to
your advantage. Realistically, we need never feel desperate. We are here on this earth for a short period. If we
adjust our priorities to be in tune with the realities of Nature and the World, we will understand that nothing on
this earth is worth trading our souls and our freedom for.
Vengeance is another emotion that should never motivate us to act. Vengeance strips away our objectivi
ty, prompts us to cross ethical boundaries, encourages us to adapt an attitude that the end justifies the means.
Through vengeance, we may accomplish our goals but pay a dear price. If someone has hurt you badly but is no
longer capable of inflicting harm on you or anyone else, then lick your wounds, be cautious in the future, and
move forward. If, on the other hand, your enemy still remains a potent threat, you have a right and a responsibil
ity to neutralize that threat. But in this case, you are acting for the right reason. However, in planning and exe
cuting your actions be objective, focused, cool, and calculative, and never, ever cross ethical boundaries.
5. The professional sector, or the ”bread and butter” sector, if managed well, helps you earn a living.
This sector is one of the most difficult to manage, because we live in an extremely competitive, dog-eat-dog
world, and we must be vigilant, innovative, thoughtful, and proactive in order to be successful here. None of us
can earn a decent living on our own terms alone; it has to be done on mutually beneficial terms with the World.
To manage this sector efficiently, we must follow several basic guidelines. Without exception, they ap
ply to anyone, from any walk of life, who wants or needs to work for a living. First, keep your mind, eyes, and
ears open and your mouth shut. As a physician, I learned to follow this advice a long time ago. If I listened care
fully to my patients with an open mind and resisted the urge to interrupt them, they would give me clues that
would help me diagnose and treat their ailments. Even today, when I diagnose, I rely more on my patient’s histo
ry, physical signs, and symptoms rather than on the wide array of sophisticated gadgets I have at my disposal. Second, you must be honest with yourself without being transparent to a fault to the World. Third, you
must believe in your mission and your agenda, and you must trust your instincts. Fourth, you must feel good
about yourself and be proud for the right reasons—that is to build a better world for others while trying to se
cure your survival. Fifth, know whom to trust and not to trust. However, remember that when it comes to trust,
an individual is untrustworthy until he or she proves otherwise, for trust must be earned. Finally, you must pur
sue your life’s work with passion. Put your heart and soul into your work, not just your mind, because the task
that you undertake—however big or small—must be important to you. By following these guidelines in the pro
fessional sector, you will achieve a string of successes that inspire your confidence and instill courage in you to
take on even tougher tasks.
For the leaders among us, especially those working in a corporate environment, the following principles
help manage the professional sector:
a. Form a tight knit inner circle of people you trust to carry out your agenda.
b. Don’t trust yes–men, because anyone who agrees with you without questioning the veracity of
your statements is most likely either dishonest or stupid.
c. Behave in a way that will win your employees’ trust.
d. Learn to assess your employee’s strengths and weaknesses without prejudice. Choose the right
individual for the job, assign appropriate responsibilities, offer that person a free reign, and hold
him or her accountable at every step.
e. Never ask others to do that which you have not demanded of yourself.
f. Prove to your associates that you are with them and not above them.
g. Command respect and loyalty from others by treating them with consideration and respect.
h. Set a good example through deeds rather than through rhetoric. Mean what you say and say what
you mean.
i. Be willing to safeguard your integrity at any cost. We live in an imperfect world, one in which it
is tempting to lie for personal benefit, but it is a certain truth that the lies that give you an initial
advantage will catch up with you and cause your downfall. j. Be a caring, compassionate, and a good-hearted human being. However, make clear that your
goodness is not a weakness. Discipline the people who work with you when the situation calls
for it, but do so without ever insulting them or treating them badly, as that would be a poor reflec
tion on your abilities as a professional.
k. Never mix business with pleasure—they have different agendas. It is a mistake for a professional
to develop a personal relationship with a business associate. He will lose objectivity, sets a bad
example for others, and eventually the personal relationship will cloud his judgment. Never do
business with close friends and relatives, because your relationship with both will most likely
suffer.
l. Remain humble and keep the other sectors in sight and balanced, even at the height of your ca
reer.
6. The personal sector includes our relationships with family and friends. We are obligated to have a
healthy relationship with our family and friends and to extend a helping hand to them when possible. In the per
sonal sector, we must attend to our domestic responsibilities, relationships, and habits—both good and bad. We
must also pay attention to the ways in which our internal affairs, such as physical or emotional habits, affect the
personal sector. Imbalances in other sectors of our lives can have a dire impact on the personal sector. There is,
for example, a direct and intricate relationship between the personal and professional sectors. Those who man
age the personal sector well are usually successful professionals. For instance, if a professional takes his spouse
for granted or treats her badly, she will get back at him and make his life miserable. The tension between the
couple will in turn have a stark, negative emotional impact on their children. Many of my patients are success
ful individuals who fall victim to various addictions because they have made messes of their personal lives.
Those of us who care more about career than family should not marry and have families. They should
instead enjoy the freedom of single life and focus on professional development. The risk inherent to this strate
gy is that one day the single professionals among us decide that they are lonely and have nothing to look for
ward to. As a grandfather, I can tell you nothing beats the pleasure that I get from playing with my six-year-old grandson. A better approach might be to balance a reasonably successful professional career with a pleasant per
sonal life.
For instance, a professional woman who also wants a family may have to put her professional aspira
tions on hold or tone them down temporarily until the children have been born and have grown to be relatively
independent. While she may during those years lose out on some advantages in the professional sector, she
might consider that loss an acceptable compromise. A professional man has, by virtue of his gender, certain dis
tinct advantages over women in the professional sector (i.e., he cannot get pregnant). He also has an obligation
to understand the plight of a female professional, whether it is his wife or a colleague, and to extend his coopera
tion to help her fulfill her responsibilities. A professional man should also contribute to childcare and help out
on the domestic front so that his wife is able to handle both the professional and personal sectors in the same
way he does.
Finally, it goes without saying that whether you are a successful professional or not, you must manage
your personal sector well. Former President Clinton, while a good-hearted man with excellent ideas, managed
his personal affairs very poorly. Perhaps he was surprised to actually win the presidency, and when he did, the
success went to his head. As a result, his personal and spiritual sectors fell strongly out of balance. He could
have gone down in history as one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century; instead he will be remem
bered as a womanizer and a liar. On the other hand, the leaders of the Republican Party who exploited his per
sonal weaknesses to their benefit were no angels either. They went after Clinton on a personal vendetta,
ignoring the nation’s best interests. The resulting spectacle negatively affected our country by shifting the focus
from important domestic and foreign affairs to the president’s personal issues.
7. When assessing the financial sector, we must be careful to never try to catch up with the Joneses,
because there is no end to such a goal. Instead, we must take stock of our finances and live within our means. If
a financial deal seems out of reach or too good to be true, then it probably is. We must in these cases act accord
ing to our best interests and save ourselves the unnecessary aggravation and frustration of chasing a pipedream.
8. If managed properly, the social sector adds value to our lives. Social activities provide a pleasant di
version and help us to unwind after a grueling day at work. Those who are married and have families are advised to include their family members in at least some of their social activities. The social sector can also
enhance other sectors if it includes relationships between fellow professionals that lead to career advancement.
For example, playing golf allows us to enjoy a game outdoors while also bonding with other professionals.
More often than not, adolescents and young adults mismanage the social sector. They are usually imma
ture, cocky, adventurous, and unequipped to think about the consequences of their actions. They act first and
think later. As a result of poor judgment, this group of youngsters might choose social activities and compan
ions poorly. Young adults who make poor social choices that lead to breaking the law or injuring themselves or
others may suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives. It is a pity to see that many intelligent young indi
viduals with bright futures ruin their lives for a few moments of thrill and excitement.
Some parents or guardians cite peer pressure as the culprit for irresponsible behavior in young adults.
That reasoning seems a cheap excuse. While young adults’ judgment is not fully mature, it is also true that if
every parent and guardian took a genuine interest in the welfare of their children, the peer pressure excuse
would disappear like a puff of smoke. Unfortunately, many adults responsible for children are themselves imma
ture or negligent, and they fail to see the tragic events that can result from lack of supervision and caring. Never
theless, our Maker holds us all accountable for our actions. The early tone we set for this sector can benefit us
or hinder us for the remainder of our lives. Ha