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Important note: If this exercise, at any point, produces intense or overwhelming feelings, stop what you’re doing. Instead, consider seeking the assistance of a professional therapist.
Important note: If this exercise, at any point, produces intense or overwhelming feelings, stop what you’re doing. Instead, consider seeking the assistance of a professional therapist.
The Wheel of Life is a widely used self-assessment tool designed to help individuals reflect on key areas of their lives and identify where they are thriving—and where there may be room for growth. This simple yet powerful exercise helps you visualize how balanced your life truly is.
By rating your satisfaction in categories such as Career, Finances, Health, Relationships, Personal Growth, and more, the Wheel of Life gives you a clear, visual snapshot of your current life balance. It allows you to explore questions like:
Where am I most satisfied?
Where am I experiencing the greatest gaps?
What specific actions can I take to bring more balance into my life?
This tool is ideal for those beginning a personal development journey or preparing to set meaningful goals. Through reflection, prioritization, and action planning, it guides you from self-awareness to self-improvement.
Step 1: Draw Your Wheel
Step 1: Draw Your Wheel
Draw a large circle on a blank sheet of paper.
Divide it into 8 equal slices, like a pizza.
Each slice represents a key area of your life.
In this picture you can see the most common categories. Feel free to swap in categories like Spirituality, Contribution, or Self-Image if they feel more relevant.
Step 2: Label & Score Each Segment
Step 2: Label & Score Each Segment
Label each slice with one life category. Examples: Family, Friends, Personal Growth, Health, Fun, Finance, Career, Giving back.
Score Your Current Levels : From the center of the circle (score 0) to the edge (score 10), Rate with a "O" where are you currently in each category. For example, if you're doing 'ok' with your health, you might draw a circle at 6 in 'Health'
Score Your Desired Levels: Next, mark your ideal level for each section with an "X" (where you want to be). For example, if you want to improve your health to level 8, mark an "X" at 8 in the 'Health' section.
Finally, draw a line to highlight the gap between the "O" (current level) and "X" (desired level).
Step 3: Connect the Dots
Step 3: Connect the Dots
Connect all your current scores ("O" marks) around the wheel
A balanced wheel forms a smooth circle
An unbalanced wheel appears uneven
Ask yourself:
Which areas create bumps in your wheel?
Where are your highest and lowest scores?
(Optional: Use different colors for ideal scores to see gaps more clearly)
Step 4: Reflect on What It Means
Step 4: Reflect on What It Means
Consider these questions:
Why did I score each area this way?
What would a 10/10 look like in each area?
Which area needs attention most right now?
What's stopping me from improving?
Step 5: Choose One Area of focus
Step 5: Choose One Area of focus
Pick one area to improve and ask:
What's one small thing I can do this week to improve?
What would good progress look like in one month?
Step 6: Take Action & Revisit Often
Step 6: Take Action & Revisit Often
Write 1-3 specific steps you'll take
Keep your wheel where you'll see it
Check your progress every 1-3 months
This exercise shows where to focus your energy. Remember - it's about progress, not perfection.
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