The Wheel of Life is a popular coaching tool that helps the client assess and define the gap between where the client is and where they want to be.  Below we’ve provided the instructions on how to use the tool.

Additionally, there is a PDF document that you can download to print for use with your clients.

The Wheel of Life Exercise – Coach Instructions

Wheel of Life (PDF)

Notes:

• This exercise will help clarify priorities for goal-setting, allowing the client to plan so that their life is closer to their definition of balance.
• Balance is personal and unique to each individual – what may be balance for some may be stressful or boring for others.
• Balance must be assessed over time. So, a regular check on how balanced the client is can highlight useful patterns and help them learn even more about ourselves. You can do this with them, or recommend they do it for themselves
• Another option with this exercise is that they can ask someone who knows them well to complete the scores for them. It can be helpful sometimes to see an outside perception of your life ‘balance’. Note: This must be someone they trust AND whose opinion they value.

Detailed Instructions:

For each of the sectors on the chart below, rank yourself on a scale of 1 to 10: “How satisfied am I with this area of my life?” For instance, if you are feeling great about your Personal Development, you might give yourself a “9”. So, shade in nine tenths of the Personal Development segment, starting from the inside out.

1. Friends & Family
2. Marriage/Single Life
3. Career
4. Money/Finances
5. Health (emotional/physical/fitness/nutrition/wellbeing)
6. Living Environment/Home
7. Fun/Hobbies/Recreation
8. Personal Growth & Development
9. Spiritual wellbeing
10. Others could include security, service, leadership, integrity, achievement or community.

Ask them to think about what success feels like for each area.

Now ask them to rank their level of satisfaction with each area of their life by drawing a line across each segment. Place a value between 1 (very dissatisfied) and 10 (fully satisfied) against each area to show how satisfied they are currently with these elements in their life.

The new perimeter of the circle represents their ‘Wheel of Life’. You can ask them, “Is it a bumpy ride?”

Now, looking at the wheel here are some questions to ask the client and take the exercise deeper:

1. Are there any surprises for you?
2. How do you feel about your life as you look at your Wheel?
3. How do you currently spend time in these areas?
4. How would you like to spend time in these areas?
5. Which of these elements would you most like to improve?
6. How could you make space for these changes?
7. Can you effect the necessary changes on your own?
8. What help and cooperation from others might you need?
9. What would make that a score of 10?
10. What would a score of 10 look like?

Paul Dabdoub

Master Coach Trainer, Founder | paul@ilifecoachtraining.com | Website

Paul Dabdoub is a master coach trainer & mentor, speaker, writer, and entrepreneur, and an executive coach who’s literally helped 1000’s of people take practical steps towards their future.

Paul is the founder of Life Coach Training Institute - the largest life coach training school in North America and the #1 life coach certification online program.