SfC Home > Champion in Life >

Explanation of the parallel between the University of Toronto Quality of Life Model and the 5 Powers of a Champion model - Strategies to Become a Champion in Life. Also refer to research, being, belonging, becoming, health, excellence, knowledge, value, character, World Health Organization, WHO, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Univ. of Toronto Quality of Life Model

by Ron Kurtus (revised 6 February 2005)

The research model used by the Quality of Life Research Unit at the University of Toronto and the 5 Powers of a Champion model of the School for Champions have been found to be somewhat similar. Each was established independently. This is an indication that they both can be effective models for improving the quality of life.

Questions you may have include:

• What is the University of Toronto's Quality of Life model?
• How does it compare with the 5 Powers model?
• How can their model be used by the School for Champions?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Toronto Quality of Life model

The Quality of Life study at the University of Toronto is an examination of factors that contribute to the goodness and meaning of life, as well as people's happiness. The model used for quality of life research divides life into Being, Belonging and Becoming categories. Each of those has three sub-categories.

They have used their model in a study of the local community, seniors, adolescents, families and people with disabilities to see how they may be helped. Their model is based on the World Health Organization's Quality of Life model.

Being

Being relates to who one is. This category is divided into Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Being.

Physical Being

Physical Being concerns such things as physical health, personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise, grooming and clothing, and general physical appearance.

Psychological Being

Psychological Being concerns such things as psychological health and adjustment, cognition, feelings, self-esteem, self-concept and self-control.

Spiritual Being

Spiritual Being concerns such things as personal values, personal standards of conduct, and spiritual beliefs.

Belonging

Belonging relates to connections with one's environments. This category is divided into Physical, Social and Community Belonging.

Physical Belonging

Physical Belonging concerns such places as in the home, workplace, school, neighborhood and community.

Social Belonging

Social Belonging concerns relationships with intimate others, family, friends, co-workers, neighborhood and community.

Community Belonging

Community Belonging concerns having an adequate income, health and social services, employment, educational programs, recreational programs, community events and activities.

Becoming

Becoming relates to achieving personal goals, hopes and aspirations. This category is divided into Practical, Leisure and Growth areas.

Practical Becoming

Practical Becoming concerns domestic activities, paid work, school or volunteer activities, seeing to health or social needs.

Leisure Becoming

Leisure Becoming concerns activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Growth Becoming

Growth Becoming concerns activities that promote the maintenance or improvement of knowledge and skills, as well as adapting to change.

Champions' 5 Powers

The School for Champions has a 5 Powers of a Champion model that relates to areas that are important for a person to achieve a happy, satisfying life. These items are Health, Knowledge, Excellence, Value and Character.

5 Powers of a Champion are considered important in leading a happy, successful and productive life.

Health

Health consists of physical, mental and spiritual health. It is functioning as we were intended to function.

Knowledge

Knowledge relates to formal and informal education and the resulting skills from applying the knowledge gained.

Excellence

Excellence concerns how well the person applies his or her skills in achieving a goal. In business or work activities, it relates to quality.

Value

Value concerns personal and business relationships. It is what a person provides to others in these relationships. In business or work, it can be the return on investment.

Character

Character is the type of person one is. Major areas of character are honesty, courage and determination.

Comparison

The model established at the University of Toronto's Quality of Life Research Unit is quite parallel to the 5 Powers of a Champion employed by the School for Champions.

Being = Healthy

The University of Toronto's physical, psychological and spiritual Being relates to health in those areas and is equivalent to the School for Champion's physical, mental and spiritual health.

Belonging = Valuable

The Quality of Life Research Unit physical, social and community Belonging concerns relationships with others and feeling part of a family, organization or community. In the School for Champions, the value or importance of a person to each other determines how well people fit in or belong and establishes their relationships.

Becoming = Knowledgeable and Excellent

The University of Toronto's practical, leisure and growth Becoming relates to achieving personal goals, entertainment, and activities that promote the improvement of knowledge and skills. The School for Champions emphasizes gaining knowledge and skills and doing excellent work. Entertainment and leisure activities also require knowledge and quality to be fully enjoyed.

Character factor

Toronto's Quality of Life Research does not seem to take into the factor of having good character in their studies. It may fit into their other areas.

The School for Champions believes that having an outstanding character--being honorable, reliable and courageous--is important in leading a good life, as well as being respected and admired by others.

Purpose comparison

The study by the University of Toronto Quality of Life Research Unit focuses on the issues involving the quality of life. The School for Champions focuses on ways to improve a person's quality of life. The School for Champions provides a roadmap to lead to a good life, as well as helping to provide a means.

The results of the studies by the University of Toronto on the importance of the issues stated in their model can also be applied to the 5 Powers of a Champion model.

Summary

The University of Toronto Quality of Life research model and the 5 Powers of a Champion model of the School for Champions have similar concepts. They are both effective instruments for improving the quality of life.

Answers to Readers' Questions

A good life is much better than a bad one

Resources

The following resources provide information on this subject.

Websites

University of Toronto Quality of Life Research Unit

Quality of Life Model

World Health Organization - Measuring the Quality of Life

Life Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Success in Life

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What are the Quality of Life factors in Belonging?

2. What are the types of health in the 5 Powers of a Champion?

3. What is needed in Becoming or achieving goals?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Life. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

What do you think?

Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Share link

Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.

Or use our form to send this link to yourself or a friend.

Students and researchers

The Web address of this page is
www.school-for-champions.com/life/toronto_univ_quality_life.htm. Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.

Where can you go from here?

School for Champions

Champion in Life topics

Univ. of Toronto Quality of Life Model