One of my friends was contemplating a job change and had two enticing job offers on the table. Using the Wheel of Life, he assessed various dimensions including Career Growth, Work-Life Balance, Compensation, Company Culture, Location, and Personal Development.
As he evaluated Offer A, he realized it offered a significant career advancement and a competitive salary, but the commute was longer. That would impact his work-life balance. On the other hand, Offer B provided a better work-life balance and was closer to home, but with slightly lower compensation and fewer growth prospects.
Reflecting on his priorities, he weighed each dimension and realized that while career growth and compensation are essential, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and proximity to family were equally important, if not more.
He decided to go with Offer B. It aligned better with his overall life goals and values. Using the Wheel of Life helped him gain clarity and confidence in his decision, ensuring that he chose a job that not only advanced his career but also his overall well-being and satisfaction in life.
So, what is the wheel of life?
The Wheel of Life originated from the Buddhist tradition, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life. It’s a visual representation divided into segments representing various life domains. Originally used for spiritual reflection, it’s now widely utilized in coaching for self-assessment and goal-setting in diverse life areas.
It visually represents various aspects of one’s life, typically depicted as segments of a circle. Each segment corresponds to a different life domain, such as career, relationships, health, and personal development. By assessing and rating satisfaction levels in each area, individuals gain a comprehensive snapshot of their current life balance and areas for improvement.
The concept of interconnectedness within the Wheel of Life emphasizes the understanding that various aspects of our lives are interconnected and influence one another. When we assess different life dimensions on the Wheel of Life, such as career, relationships, health, and personal development, we recognize that these dimensions are not isolated from each other but are interrelated.
For example, if someone experiences dissatisfaction in their career, it can have ripple effects on other areas of their life. It may impact their relationships with family and friends due to increased stress or time constraints, their health due to elevated levels of anxiety or burnout, and their personal development as they struggle to find fulfillment and meaning in their work.
Conversely, improvements in one area of life can positively influence other areas. For instance, enhancing one’s physical health through regular exercise and proper nutrition can lead to increased energy levels and improved mood, which may positively impact their career performance and relationships.
As a coaching tool, the Wheel of Life fosters self-awareness by prompting individuals to reflect on their overall life satisfaction and identify areas of strength and weakness. This heightened self-awareness serves as a foundation for setting meaningful goals and creating action plans to improve areas of dissatisfaction. By visually mapping out their life domains, clients can prioritize their goals and take proactive steps towards achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Seven steps to using the Wheel of Life
- First, know what decision you need to make. It could be about work, friends, health, or anything important to you.
- Draw a big circle and split it into sections like pieces of a pie. Each part represents a different part of your life, like job, family, or fun.
- Think about how happy or satisfied you are with each part of your life. Give each section a score from 1 to 10, where 1 is not happy at all, and 10 is super happy.
- Once you’ve rated each part, connect the dots to see your “Wheel of Life.” It’ll show you which areas are good and which need some work.
- Take a good look at your Wheel of Life. Think about how your decision might affect each part of your life.
- Consider what’s important to you. Is your decision in line with your values and goals?
- With all this in mind, make your decision. Choose what feels right and fits well with your life.
- After you’ve made your decision, keep an eye on your Wheel of Life. Make sure your decision is keeping things balanced. Adjust if needed!
By following these steps, you can use the Wheel of Life to help you make decisions that keep your life happy and balanced.
“To delve deeper into this tool and explore its potential, feel free to contact me at shweta@cyg.today. Alternatively, visit cyg.today to discover how you can change your game today.
