Life Equation
It’s been a while since I last wrote here. Today, I want to share a simple way to look at life — like an equation you can actually control, what I am trying to do myself as well.
The Scale
Let’s keep it straightforward:
- Positive numbers (+) = the happy, healthy, meaningful stuff
- Negative numbers (–) = the sad, painful, or draining stuff
- Total score ranges from –10 to +10
At birth, you’re basically 0 — a fresh start.
My Son’s Equation (Age 4)
For kids, life is easy to calculate:
My son = 10 – 1 = 9
- +10: fit, healthy, always smiling, loved by parents and grandparents
- –1: sad only when homework feels too long, playtime/TV is limited
Mostly sunshine. Score: +9.
My Equation (Many Variables, Real Life)
For grown-up life, there are more variables. Here’s how I see mine:
Me = Pᴴ + Pᶠ + Wᴹ + Wˢ + O
- Pᴴ (Personal Health): +5
No major health issues, fairly fit. Can push more on both mental and physical fronts. - Pᶠ (Personal Family): –4
My wife, son, and I are good. But extended family challenges pull this down. - Wᴹ (Work — Main): +5
Doing well. Always more to build, but positive momentum. - Wˢ (Work — Side Hustles): –2
Four side bets drained time, money, and headspace. Lesson learned. - O (Other): +1
Social work, hobbies, vacation and little things that add meaning beyond work and family.
Total = +5 + (–4) + +5 + (–2) + +1 = +5
So right now, my equation is +5 — still room to grow, but definitely on the positive side.
The Message: Control Your Life Equation
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is awareness and control:
- Accept the uncontrollables — some things will always be outside your hands.
- Add new variables wisely — only when you’re truly ready and want them.
- Push on positives — build on what gives you energy and meaning.
- Cut down negatives — reduce, delegate, or let go of what drags you down.
Closing Thought
Life doesn’t have to feel complicated. If you think of it as a simple equation, you start to see which parts lift you up and which parts pull you down.
And the real shift happens when you deliberately choose to keep adding more positives than negatives.
Your life equation will never be perfect — but you can always keep it positive.