Where does an advocate's time go and what do they get in return

To assess balance in life, it’s worth identifying the areas where the most effort, time, and money are directed, and then determining what a person receives in return: income, respect, support, love, a sense of significance or the fulfillment of an important idea.

This was discussed during the webinar «In search of happiness: what prevents us from enjoying life and how to change it», organized by the UNBA with the support of the International Bar Association. The speaker was practical psychologist Tetyana Sova.

According to her, researchers distinguish between two types of well-being. Hedonistic well-being is associated with positive emotions, new experiences, a sense of security, and short-term pleasure. Eudaimonic well-being is associated with meaning, plans, dreams, the fulfillment of needs and living in accordance with one’s own values.

During the exercise, participants were asked to list three areas where they currently devote the most emotional, cognitive, or physical effort. These could include professional activities, relationships, caring for children, volunteering or other areas.

Opposite each item, participants should note what they receive from that source. In professional life, such returns might include money, respect, reputation, a sense of usefulness, or a sense of self-importance. In relationships — love, hugs, a sense of self-importance and a sense of being irreplaceable.

In the example of daily time tracking, the speaker mentioned working with clients alongside commuting, household chores, leisure and socializing.

A more comprehensive version of the exercise involves analyzing all major areas of life. It reveals which areas remain «undernourished», which are already fulfilled, where resources are primarily spent, and where a person finds emotional fulfillment or a sense of purpose.

For a realistic assessment of one’s workload, T. Sova also recommended spending several weeks at the end of each day recording all completed activities and the time spent on them — from commuting and household chores to working with clients, leisure, and socializing. Such a record reveals where attention and energy are actually directed and whether there is time left for sleep, recovery and other needs.

According to the speaker, the psyche strives for security, a sense of completion, the ability to influence and control, as well as a balanced exchange. If these needs are at least roughly met, the level of overall life satisfaction increases.