Explore the magic number for healthy life

Adopting 8+8+8 rule key to balanced life

By Javed Iqbal

Are you looking to combat feelings of unproductivity and unease in your daily life? Consider adopting a "rule" a powerful tool for optimising your time, boosting productivity and enhancing overall happiness. This straightforward yet transformative approach is sure to revolutionise the way you tackle your days, empowering you to feel more accomplished, energised and fulfilled than ever before.

Albert Einstein famously observed, "Try not to become a person of success but rather try to become a person of value." By embracing the ruling philosophy, you can shift your focus away from merely achieving success and instead prioritise the creation of genuine value and purpose in your life. With a clear sense of direction and purpose, you'll be able to make the most of every moment, achieving greater productivity and satisfaction in all aspects of your life.

8-8-8 Rule

The 8-8-8 hours rule is a valuable principle that promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It encourages us to allocate eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep, and eight hours for 3Fs (family, friends and faith), 3Hs (health, hobbies and hygiene), and 3Ss (service, soul and smile). This formula is not just a time-management technique but also a means to prioritise our well-being.

As human beings, we require a balance between our work, rest and leisure time. This balance is crucial for maintaining our physical, emotional and mental health. It is rightly said, "If you don't take care of yourself, who will?" The 8-8-8 hours rule provides a simple and effective way to ensure that we take care of ourselves and lead fulfilling lives.

(Image: Getty Images)

The 8-8-8 rule is a powerful principle that emphasises the importance of balance in our daily routine. The first eight hours are dedicated to work as it is a crucial aspect of our lives. However, it is important to note that excessive work can lead to exhaustion, burnout and reduced productivity. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, it is recommended to prioritise other aspects of life as well. As Richard Bandler once said, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood."

The second eight hours of the 8-8-8 rule are reserved for sleep. Sleep is a crucial component of our well-being as it is during this period that our bodies repair and rejuvenate. Sufficient sleep ensures that we are alert and energetic to perform our daily tasks. James B. Maas, former chairman of the psychology department at Cornell University said, "Good sleep is the best predictor of life span and quality of life."

The remaining 8 hours of the 8-8-8 rule are dedicated to the 3Fs - (family, friends and faith) - these three elements are crucial for our emotional and social well-being and help us achieve a sense of balance and fulfillment in life. Besides having a good faith our connections and interactions with others have a profound effect on our happiness and satisfaction levels. As the renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow once stated, "The very fact that human beings require and seek out close relationships and connections with others is evidence of their profound social nature." 

The final 8 hours of the 8-8-8 rule are dedicated to the 3Ss - Service, Soul and Smile. These activities add depth and meaning to our existence. Serving others, nurturing our spirituality and indulging in activities that bring us happiness and joy are crucial for leading a fulfilling life. As Mother Teresa wisely said, "It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing it that truly counts."

Engaging in these activities can also have a positive impact on our mental health and well-being. According to research, acts of service and kindness can boost our mood and reduce stress. Similarly, nurturing our spiritual selves through meditation or prayer can provide us with a sense of inner peace and calm.

Finally, 3Hs - Health, Hobbies and Hygiene are equally significant. Pursuing hobbies or activities that bring us joy and happiness can boost our overall sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Both mental and physical health are important for a balanced life and hygiene guarantees out overall health.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi famously said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

Following the 8-8-8 rule can help individuals achieve this harmony, leading to a happy and fulfilling life.

Summing up, the 8-8-8 rule can be described as enriching, inspiring, empowering, life-changing, holistic, balancing, fulfilling, meaningful and timeless. By embracing a planned living, from setting big-picture goals to making daily choices, individuals can unlock the secrets to living a purposeful and promising life. As the wise author Michael Hyatt once wrote, "People lose their way when they lose their why." Don't let that be you. 

— Michael Hyatt (@MichaelHyatt) May 29, 2020