Life Balance Wheel

It’s often said that “people spend more time planning an annual holiday than they do thinking and planning for their own personal development”. Despite this apparent lack of focus, many people often have a feeling that their life is out of balance, although they may not be sure where the problem lies.


The life balance wheel is a very simple – yet effective – exercise to start you off on the path to making some positive changes, should you decide you need to do so. It won’t give you a specific answer to your issues, but it can help you decide which area (s) of your life need (s) some more targeted personal development effort.


Method

Think about the areas of life you are preoccupied by. Make a list selected from the suggestions below or use your own important headings in your own words.

Add these headings into the table below. We suggest a maximum of eight areas. It can be difficult to work with more sub-areas or with too many less.

Think about the different areas you have selected and give each a rating for your current level of satisfaction (0 = total dissatisfaction, 50% = 'half' satisfied, 100% = total satisfaction). If this is difficult ask yourself the following questions: i. How much time do I spend in each area of life as a percentage? ii. How do I rate the quality of the activities, what percentage of the time am I doing the right things the way I would prefer? Take an average of these two figures to produce your rating.


Life Area Current Satisfaction Level (%)
Health  
Friendships  
Contentment  
Fun & Recreation  
Home Life  
Finance  
Relationships  
Current Job / Work  
Career Progression  
Personal Development / Education / Learning  
Spiritual Life  
Specific Hobbies  
Meditation  
Holidays  
Time with Children  
   

 

Shade in the percentage figures against each life area on a segment of the chart below.


 

  Here’s an example for a couple of categories:

 

If you would like to take this exercise a step further, then imagine you are in the best possible situation in each single area of your life.

Now score your ideal (imagined) satisfaction level and enter into your IDEAL LIFE table.

Life Area Current Satisfaction Level (%)
Health  
Friendships  
Contentment  
Fun & Recreation  
Home Life  
Finance  
Relationships  
Current Job / Work  
Career Progression  
Personal Development / Education / Learning  
Spiritual Life  
Specific Hobbies  
Meditation  
Holidays  
Time with Children  
   

If you wish you can also shade in the life wheel for the ideal (imagined) area too. Comparing two pictures is easier for some people than looking at text or a table of numbers.

Now, compare your new ‘Ideal Life’ ratings to your current ‘Real Life’ satisfaction rating. Are there any major differences? If there are, then these are the areas of life to start addressing change.

There are many exhibitors who can help you find your specific solution. Have a scan through the One Life web site to find one that suits you.

Where there are other areas on the chart that would not be specifically covered by the exhibitors (eg family, relationships or health issues) we recommend you visit your doctor or a qualified counsellor.

This One Life Learning Page has been prepared by New Meaning Limited, one of the exhibitors in the Life Balance Zone. For further advice on this exercise or a free-no obligation consultation, please contact New Meaning direct by clicking on the relevant links below, emailing or telephone. Alternatively you may return to the exhibitors via the One Life Live link.