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Written by: Coral Owen
Contributor: Jessica Beckendorf

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by competing tasks and responsibilities. Deciding where to focus your time and energy can be a challenge, especially when there are so many things vying for your attention. The Wheel of Life is a practical tool that can help you evaluate and set priorities by providing a clear visual representation of how balanced—or unbalanced—your life is across various areas.

What Is the Wheel of Life?

The Wheel of Life is a tool that divides life into different domains, such as:

  • Physical Health
  • Career/Work
  • Relationships
  • Finances
  • Personal Growth
  • Social Life
  • Spirituality
  • Fun and Recreation

These domains represent different aspects of well-being, and the tool helps you assess how satisfied you are in each area. Using a simple 1-10 scale, you rate each domain based on how fulfilled you feel. The result is a visual “wheel” that shows which areas of your life need more attention or improvement.

How to Use the Wheel of Life

  1. Download a template: You can find templates online or create your own. Choose a version that already has the domains listed, or customize the categories to suit your needs. For example, you could use frameworks like SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness or Total Force Fitness’ Eight Dimensions of Fitness.
  2. Rate each domain: For each area, rate your satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10. A score of 1 means you’re dissatisfied with that domain, while a score of 10 means you’re highly satisfied. If you’re unsure about the exact number, trust your instincts and avoid overthinking.
  3. Visualize your life balance: Once you’ve rated each domain, fill in the corresponding sections of your wheel. You can either color in the sections or connect the dots to create a visual representation of your current life balance.
  4. Reflect and set intentions: Look at your wheel and assess where you’re doing well and where you might need to focus more attention. If, for example, your relationships score low, consider what actions you can take to improve that area in the coming weeks. Set realistic goals based on your reflections.
  5. Take action: Focus on small steps that can make improvements in areas that need attention. The goal is to bring more balance to your life by making small adjustments over time.

Tips for Success

  • Be realistic. You don’t need to score 10 in every domain. The point is to reflect on where you currently are and decide where you want to make improvements.
  • Review regularly. Many people find it useful to complete the Wheel of Life once a month. This allows you to track your progress and adjust your priorities as needed.
  • Customize your domains. You don’t have to stick to the predefined categories. Adjust the domains to suit what’s most important to you right now.
  • Set manageable goals. Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Pick a few areas to focus on at a time and aim for small, incremental changes.

By rating your satisfaction in key areas of your life, you can identify which domains need attention and take targeted action to improve them. The goal isn’t to achieve perfection, but to create a clearer sense of where to focus your time and energy. Whether you use it monthly or quarterly, the Wheel of Life is a simple way to assess and adjust your priorities as needed.

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