Joan Burge Speaker

4 Days to 74: Still Living BIG
Live a BIG Life: My 5 Pillars

What does it really mean to live a BIG Life?

For me, it has never been about how much money you have, the titles you've earned, or how many things you've accumulated.

A BIG Life is about the quality of your life. It's about the depth of your experiences, the breadth of your interests, and the relationships you build with family and friends.

After my husband passed away, I spent a great deal of time reflecting on what truly matters. That journey led me to identify the five pillars of a BIG Life:
✨ Career
✨ Family
✨ Financial
✨ Spiritual
✨ Wellness

And here's one of the most important lessons I've learned: stop chasing balance.

Your life will never be perfectly balanced, and expecting it to be only creates more stress.

Instead of trying to keep all five pillars in perfect alignment every day, focus on giving each one the attention it deserves over the course of a year.

There will be seasons when one pillar naturally moves to the forefront. When I faced major health challenges, my wellness pillar demanded my attention. Later, my family and career moved forward again.

That's life.

The other lesson? Lead yourself.

Don't wait for someone else to prioritize your health, your relationships, your finances, or your dreams. Take ownership of the life you want to create.

My birthday wish for you is that you stop striving for perfection and start creating the life that's perfect for you.
If you'd like to explore the five pillars more deeply, Give Yourself Permission to Live a BIG Life shares the framework that has guided me through both life's greatest joys and its most difficult seasons. Order the book: https://bit.ly/4zfrxST

6 days to 74: still living BIG
Day 1: I don’t have a bucket list and here’s why 

What are you waiting for?

A certain age? More time? The perfect circumstances? Someday?

As I count down the 6 days to my 74th birthday, I want to share a few lessons I’ve learned about living a BIG, full, meaningful life. And I’m starting with one that surprises people: I don’t have a bucket list.

Not because there aren’t places I want to go, things I want to experience, or adventures still ahead of me. There absolutely are.

I simply don’t believe in automatically putting the things that matter to you on a “someday” list.

Life changes. Careers change. Families change. Opportunities come and go. If something matters to you, look for ways to make it part of the life you’re living now.

That applies whether you’re thinking about your career, your relationships, your personal growth, or the experiences that bring you joy. You don’t have to wait for retirement, a milestone birthday, or the perfect moment to begin creating a life that feels like yours.

So I’ll leave you with this question: What have you been saving for someday that deserves a place in your life now?

And if personal growth, confidence, and creating a life with greater intention matter to you, I’d love to have you join me in The Gloss, my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement and practical inspiration for living boldly and authentically. https://bit.ly/45pLLvB