The "Wheel of Life" Exercise

A quiz to quickly take stock, and identify where to focus next.

The “Wheel of Life” model contains eight segments which, together, represent one way of describing a whole life. The results of your life satisfaction survey will be displayed at the end as a wheel with 100% satisfaction at the outer rim. An example is shown below.

Important: in this exercise you record your current satisfaction level for each segment. Let the 100% mark reflect only your own  current standards and expectations.

The Wheel of Life is a Co-Active Coaching tool, from the coaching manual: Co-Active Coaching (2nd ed.) © 2007 by Laura Whitworth, Karen Kimsey-House, Henry Kimsey-House, and Phillip Sandahl. Used by permission.

Note: if you click this button and see no Wheel, try a different browser.

Take the Quiz and download the result

Remember to measure against your own expectations, and no-one else's. Don't think too long, just listen to your gut!

Come back to this page and scroll down for suggestions on getting more satisfaction.

And: don’t forget to make a copy of the text or image results, to share with your coach.

Here’s how your Wheel might look:

 

“How satisfied are you right now,
according to your own standards? “

wheel of life sample image

Now what?

Make a few notes

Take note of the percentages and jot down your thoughts about them…

What do you want to remember about your answers?

If you’re feeling stuck, these prompts might get you started:

  • Would you rename a segment? Or add one?
  • Which area was difficult to evaluate?
  • What pleases you?
  • What surprises or upsets you?
  • What seems important now?

Did you notice an area where you’re eager for more satisfaction? Read on for some suggestions on how to start.

Start a new habit

The moment you see a growth opportunity is the best time to design a structure to support that growth. What immediately came to mind for you? Why not do it?

Here are a few more suggestions:

  • share the journey:
    start a discussion with a friend about getting more satisfaction in an area that holds you back
  • dream:
    create a poem, video, drawing or collage of what 100% looks/feels like for you
  • get curious:
    find a book, TED talk or an online course to help you explore
  • reflect regularly:
    start (or re-start) writing in a journal (find tips here)
  • hire a coach:
    how does that work? Read more in the next section.

Coaching accelerates change

A coach is a professional who helps you celebrate and increase your successes by making more satisfying choices. A coach helps you redesign your inner conversations, moves you forward with powerful questions, and holds you accountable for new challenges you set for yourself. And, by the way, I believe a coach works herself out of a job, over time, by training your own inner coach. Read more about how coaching works…

A coach is different from a friend, colleague, or even a mentor. A coach remains neutral so they can mirror your strengths and fears back to you, to help you design new choices going forward. This requires someone who sees your world only through your eyes, and who has no stake in your outcomes. Someone committed to helping you find your way, not offering shortcuts and advice.

Self-coaching books offer such neutrality, but they have their limits, and there may come a time when you feel stuck, and a committed partner is just what you want to get back on track.

Your choice of a coach is important, and personal: this person must make you feel safe, and alive. Only you can determine who is best to accompany you.

Partner with a coach

Such people, of course, existed long before we made up the term ‘coach.’ Some doctors and therapists coach their clients, alongside their other healing interventions. And if you’re lucky enough to have a strong, neutral pastor, relative or peer you trust, who will play a coaching role for you, that’s a great way to get support for your growth.

I offer you two services, to help you choose a coach:

  • a abiggergame.today/yes-i-give-away-my-work ,
    to let you explore in more detail what 100% satisfaction could look like.  If you’re curious about coaching, use this one-hour call to ask your questions and to sample the chemistry between us, with no pressure to become a client.
  • links to reputable Coach Finder services,
    online “match-maker” resources to help you find a qualified professional that meets your need for language, location or skillset. I recommend both the Co-Active and ICF online find-a-coach services. Many coaches offer free “chemistry sessions” so it’s not uncommon to audition several before choosing. I have!

And if you’re a reader, you might like to read my 16-page overview of the Co-Active Coaching approach, or the long-time coaching industry standard: Co-Active Coaching: Changing Business, Transforming Lives.

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