Are you struggling to find balance in your life? The Wheel of Life assessment is a powerful diagnostic tool and coaching exercise that breaks down different areas of your existence and measures the strength of each. Initially created by industry pioneer Paul J. Meyer in the 1960s, this self-assessment tool helps people realize their goals and achieve personal harmony. As one of the most effective life assessments available, it has become an integral part of many coaching practices.
The wheel of life assessment essentially works by dividing life into eight to ten triangular sections, like pie slices, each representing a key category essential for fulfillment. More than 3,000 people use the free wheel of life template every month, specifically because it provides a clear visualization of their current state and highlights areas needing improvement. However, be prepared for honesty – nearly every client who completes this wheel of life self assessment initially feels discouraged by the results.
Throughout this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover exactly how to use the wheel of life coaching assessment tool effectively, understand the most important wheel of life assessment questions to ask yourself, and learn practical steps to create meaningful change based on your results. Whether you’re looking for a wheel of life assessment PDF or a step-by-step approach, this article will equip you with everything needed to accurately measure and improve your life balance.
What is the Wheel of Life Assessment?
The Wheel of Life Assessment serves as a holistic diagnostic tool and coaching exercise that allows you to evaluate your satisfaction across multiple life domains. Deceptively simple yet remarkably effective, this visual assessment helps you gain clarity about which areas of your life require attention and which ones are flourishing.
Origin and purpose of the tool
The modern Wheel of Life Assessment traces back to Paul J. Meyer, who developed it in the 1960s [1]. As founder of the Success Motivation Institute, Meyer created this tool as part of his vision to “motivate people to their full potential” [1]. Nevertheless, the concept’s roots extend further back, drawing inspiration from ancient Buddhist philosophy where the interconnection between different dimensions of life has long been emphasized [2].
Over time, the assessment has evolved into various forms, also known as the “Life Balance Wheel,” “Coaching Wheel,” or simply the “Life Wheel” [3][4]. Despite these different names, they share a common purpose: transformation [4]. The tool was designed to create self-awareness and boost motivation [1], allowing you to assess your current situation, set goals, and prioritize actions [5].
Today, the Wheel of Life Assessment remains widely used in coaching businesses [5][1] and is accessible to anyone with little or no training [4]. Several research studies have confirmed its effectiveness as a coaching approach, reporting improved self-insight, self-esteem, and increased energy and motivation among users [1].
How it helps visualize work-life balance
The primary strength of the Wheel of Life Assessment lies in its visual nature. Typically represented as a circle divided into 8-10 segments [4][6], each segment corresponds to an essential area of your life, such as:
- Career/Work
- Finances/Money
- Health/Wellbeing
- Relationships/Family
- Personal Growth/Learning
- Spirituality
- Recreation/Leisure
- Physical Environment
For each category, you rate your level of satisfaction on a scale of 0-10 [5][1]. Once completed, these scores are plotted on the corresponding segments, creating a unique shape within the wheel [7]. This visual representation offers an immediate “helicopter view” of your work-life balance [1][8], making it instantly clear which areas might need improvement.
If your wheel appears round and even, this suggests your life is relatively balanced [7]. Conversely, an uneven shape highlights areas requiring additional attention. This visualization aspect often creates an “aha moment” [7], enabling you to observe the interconnectedness of different life domains and understand how imbalances in one area can affect others.
Furthermore, the assessment reveals whether individual areas are meeting your needs and making you happy or leaving you dissatisfied [4]. Through this process of reflection and evaluation, you gain valuable insights that serve as the foundation for setting meaningful goals and driving life improvement [7].
The Wheel of Life Assessment doesn’t presume that perfect balance means equal attention to all areas [3]. Instead, it acknowledges that different aspects of your life require different amounts of focus during various life seasons [3]. The goal isn’t necessarily achieving perfect symmetry but rather creating a life aligned with your values and priorities.
Additionally, the tool is highly adaptable. You can customize the categories to better reflect your unique circumstances and life stage [7], making it a flexible instrument for ongoing self-assessment and personal development within your coaching process.
How to Use the Wheel of Life Step-by-Step
Implementing the wheel of life assessment requires a structured approach to gain meaningful insights about your work-life balance. While seemingly straightforward, following a systematic process ensures you’ll receive accurate results that truly reflect your current situation.
1. Choose your life categories
The foundation of an effective wheel of life assessment begins with selecting the right categories. Typically, you’ll want to include 8-10 areas that represent the complete spectrum of your life [7]. Although there are common categories most people use, remember that this tool should reflect your unique priorities and circumstances.
The eight most common wheel of life categories include:
- Personal Growth (alternatives: Learning, Self-Development, Spiritual) [7]
- Family and Friends (alternatives: Community, Social)
- Career (alternatives: Vocation, Work, Business, Parenting)
- Finances (alternatives: Money, Financial Security)
- Health (alternatives: Wellbeing, Fitness)
- Home Environment (alternatives: Home, Work Environment)
- Fun & Leisure (alternatives: Recreation, Play, Creativity)
- Significant Other (alternatives: Dating, Relationship, Life Partner)
Prior to starting your assessment, review these categories carefully. If any label doesn’t feel right, modify it accordingly [7]. Moreover, you can split categories if needed—for instance, separating “Family and Friends” into distinct segments or dividing “Health” into “Physical Health” and “Emotional Health” [7].
2. Rate your satisfaction in each area
Once you’ve established your categories, the next step in the coaching process involves rating your current level of satisfaction in each area. Using a scale of 1 to 10, assess how content you feel about each aspect of your life [4]. In this scale:
- 1 represents extreme dissatisfaction or areas needing immediate improvement
- 5 indicates moderate satisfaction
- 10 represents complete fulfillment with no room for improvement [6]
For each category, draw a line or mark a point on the corresponding segment of the wheel at the appropriate level [1]. Subsequently, connect these points to create a visual representation of your work-life balance [1]. This step provides an immediate snapshot of your current state across all domains.
After plotting your scores, examine the overall shape of your wheel. An uneven wheel with significant “dips” indicates areas requiring additional attention [8]. Ask yourself these life coaching questions:
- How do you feel about the shape of your wheel?
- What surprises you most about your ratings?
- Which category would you most like to improve first? [4]
Tips for honest self-rating
Accurate self-assessment forms the cornerstone of an effective wheel of life evaluation. Accordingly, consider these guidelines to ensure your ratings genuinely reflect your situation:
First, focus on your feelings rather than quantities. When rating categories, concentrate on your satisfaction level, not how much you have or do in each area [9]. For instance, working long hours doesn’t automatically translate to high career satisfaction.
Likewise, avoid rating based on desire. It’s human nature to want more, yet your assessment should reflect your current state of happiness, not what you wish you had [9].
Furthermore, take time for reflection before assigning scores. While your initial reaction provides valuable insight, deeper contemplation often reveals more accurate assessments [6]. Consider the nuances within each category—for example, you might be satisfied with your job responsibilities yet frustrated with workplace culture.
Undoubtedly, maintaining objectivity presents challenges. Throughout the process, remind yourself that this assessment isn’t about judging or criticizing yourself but creating awareness that leads to positive change. Be honest without being harsh, recognizing that imbalances are natural parts of life’s evolution.
The wheel of life self assessment serves as a starting point for guided reflection and goal-setting. Once completed, you’ll have a clear visual representation that helps identify priorities for improvement and ultimately create greater work-life balance.
Reflecting on Your Scores and Asking the Right Questions
“I do an exercise called the ‘wheel of life’ assessment with people I work with. It is a self-assessment. In most cases, I find people are disappointed in their own assessment of their life on aspects of life. They might be feeling great about one or more aspects of their life but overall they feel disappointed.” — Pramod Agrawal, Founder & Coach, Potencia; Certified executive and life coach & change practitioner
After completing your wheel of life assessment, the real value emerges through thoughtful reflection and analysis. The visual representation you’ve created serves as a mirror, reflecting your current life satisfaction across multiple dimensions.
Wheel of life assessment questions to ask yourself
Once you’ve plotted your scores, consider these powerful life coaching questions to deepen your understanding:
- “How do you feel about your life as you look at your completed wheel?” [10]
- “Are there any surprises for you? What does not surprise you?” [10]
- “When you look at the shape of the wheel, how do you feel?” [4]
- “Which of these categories would you most like to improve?” [10]
- “What would make that a score of 10?” [10]
- “Which life area most needs your attention?” [5]
- “What would be your ideal—or dream—for this life area?” [5]
These coaching questions prompt honest self-reflection rather than surface-level analysis. As you contemplate each question, notice your emotional responses—they often contain valuable insights beyond the numerical scores.
What your scores reveal about your values
Your wheel of life assessment reflects more than satisfaction levels—it uncovers your underlying values and priorities. Areas with consistently lower scores may indicate aspects you’ve been neglecting despite their importance to you. Conversely, high-scoring areas often align with your core values.
Remember that balance doesn’t necessarily mean equal attention to every spoke [11]. Different life domains naturally require varying levels of focus during different life seasons [3]. The assessment helps you identify whether your current distribution of time and energy matches your authentic priorities.
Step back from your wheel and observe: Is there a rating that surprises you for being particularly high or low? Question what that designation means to you [6]. This reflection process reveals disconnects between your stated values and how you actually allocate your resources.
How to spot hidden patterns
Look beyond individual ratings to identify connections between different life domains. For instance, a low score in “Career” might affect not only financial stability but also relationships or personal wellbeing due to increased stress [11].
Examine your wheel for these patterns:
- Areas where you consistently rate lower [12]
- Segments you tend to prioritize over others [12]
- Imbalances that create a “bumpy ride” in your life journey [5]
By recognizing these relationships and dependencies, you can develop holistic improvement strategies that address root causes rather than symptoms [11]. This interconnected view enables you to make changes that create positive ripple effects across multiple life areas.
The visual nature of the wheel makes these patterns immediately apparent. An uneven shape highlights areas requiring additional attention and reveals how improving one segment often enhances satisfaction in others.
Setting Goals Based on Your Assessment
Now that you’ve reflected on your wheel of life assessment results, it’s time to transform insights into action. Setting thoughtful goals based on your assessment creates a roadmap for meaningful improvement in work-life balance.
Using SMART goals for improvement
The SMART framework ensures your goals are structured for success. SMART stands for:
- Specific – Define exactly what you want to accomplish
- Measurable – Establish concrete criteria to track progress
- Achievable – Set challenging yet attainable targets
- Relevant – Align with your values and broader life objectives
- Time-bound – Create clear deadlines to maintain momentum
Rather than setting vague goals like “improve health,” create specific objectives such as “participate in three 30-minute strength training sessions per week” or “run a local 5K race by June 1st.” This specificity transforms abstract desires into concrete action plans for life improvement.
Prioritizing areas with the biggest impact
After completing your wheel of life assessment, you’ll likely identify several areas needing attention. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start by examining which improvements might create positive ripple effects across multiple life domains.
First, consider which low-scoring areas most affect your overall well-being. Sometimes, focusing on one key domain (like health) naturally improves others (such as career performance and relationships). In essence, addressing foundational needs often yields broader benefits.
Second, align your priorities with your core values. When goals connect with what truly matters to you, motivation remains stronger through challenges. As a result, you’ll maintain momentum even when progress becomes difficult.
Tracking progress over time
The wheel of life coaching assessment tool serves as both starting point and ongoing measurement device. To effectively track your journey:
- Schedule regular reassessments (monthly or quarterly) to visualize improvements
- Document small wins along the way to maintain motivation
- Adjust goals as needed based on changing circumstances
Take your first step to reshape your life by selecting just one or two areas to focus on initially. Small, consistent improvements yield greater results than attempting to overhaul everything simultaneously.
Consequently, your wheel of life becomes more balanced over time, not through perfection in every area, but through intentional attention to what matters most. Remember that balance doesn’t mean equal scores across all domains—it means creating a life aligned with your unique values and priorities.
Customizing and Repeating the Assessment
The dynamic nature of life necessitates flexibility in how you evaluate and reassess your progress. Your wheel of life assessment shouldn’t remain static but rather evolve alongside your changing circumstances and priorities.
Adapting categories to your life stage
The beauty of the wheel of life assessment lies in its adaptability. Indeed, you can tailor the traditional eight categories to better reflect your unique situation and current life phase. For instance:
- If you’re retired, you might replace “Career” with “Learning” or “Community Service”
- Students could add “Academic Performance” or “Campus Involvement”
- Parents might split “Relationships” into “Partnership” and “Parenting”
- Entrepreneurs could divide “Career” into specific business domains like “Operations” and “Marketing”
Remember that the wheel’s effectiveness depends on how accurately it represents your life priorities. Don’t hesitate to relabel categories with terms that feel more meaningful to you—perhaps changing “Finances” to “Financial Wellbeing” or “Home Environment” to simply “Home.”
Using the wheel of life coaching assessment tool
Beyond initial self-evaluation, the wheel of life functions as an ongoing coaching instrument. In fact, many professional coaches use this tool not only for first sessions but throughout the coaching relationship to track progress and adjust strategies.
The wheel becomes especially valuable when exploring specific problems within particular life domains. For example, you could create focused wheels for:
- Work projects or promotions
- Educational pursuits
- Family relationships
- Health objectives
Through regular application, the assessment helps identify patterns in behavior and potential mental blocks that might hinder your progress toward desired changes. This makes it an invaluable asset in any coaching business or practice.
When and how often to reassess
To maximize benefits, schedule reassessments at consistent intervals—typically every three to six months. This timeframe allows sufficient opportunity for meaningful change while providing regular checkpoints to evaluate progress.
Regular reassessment helps you:
- Track improvements across multiple life domains
- Identify new priorities as circumstances evolve
- Maintain momentum toward your goals
- Recognize when you’ve made significant progress
As Dr. Carol Dweck explains, maintaining a growth mindset throughout this process is essential; otherwise, successful transformation risks being lost “like a rubber band regaining its shape after tension is removed.”
Conclusion
The Wheel of Life Assessment stands as a powerful tool for gaining clarity about your current life satisfaction across multiple domains. Through this visual representation, you can identify imbalances, set priorities, and create meaningful change. Most importantly, this assessment provides more than just a snapshot—it offers a roadmap for continuous growth and development.
After completing your initial assessment, remember that true transformation happens gradually. Small, consistent improvements in key areas often yield greater results than attempting to overhaul everything simultaneously. Additionally, the interconnected nature of life domains means that focusing on foundational areas frequently creates positive ripple effects throughout your entire wheel.
Your journey towards better work-life balance requires both patience and persistence. Undoubtedly, you’ll face challenges along the way, but regular reassessment helps maintain momentum and track progress. The wheel serves as both mirror and compass—reflecting your current reality while guiding your path forward.
Finally, embrace the flexible nature of this tool. Customize categories to match your unique circumstances, adjust goals as priorities shift, and schedule regular reassessments to celebrate progress. Life balance doesn’t mean achieving perfect symmetry across all domains but rather creating alignment between how you spend your time and what truly matters to you.
The Wheel of Life Assessment ultimately empowers you to take control of your personal development journey. With each reassessment and adjustment, you move closer to creating a life that feels not just balanced, but deeply fulfilling and authentic to your values.
References
[1] – https://quenza.com/blog/how-to-use-wheel-of-life/
[2] – https://lifecoachtraining.co/the-wheel-of-life-a-holistic-approach-to-life-coaching/
[3] – https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/wheel-of-life
[4] – https://positivepsychology.com/wheel-of-life-coaching/
[5] – https://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/wheel-of-life-coaching-questions/?srsltid=AfmBOooVQmjidkQMcNCwrZvHyKXVx6tWSdfpmpnd_F_6Gp_vE7JlR2qq
[6] – https://www.betterup.com/blog/wheel-of-life
[7] – https://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/wheel-of-life-categories/?srsltid=AfmBOoqSRAuu3oiOnUrUWNX9qDSWv1CfKD3Fbwc8sBTDP0WSGdXF0TcW
[8] – https://quenza.com/blog/wheel-of-life-diagram/
[9] – https://www.evalinator.com/the-complete-guide-to-the-wheel-of-life/
[10] – https://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/wheel-of-life-complete-guide-everything-you-need-to-know/?srsltid=AfmBOopB_5DVR7_mQamZzM1a0AwTBlpLB0e4T7tPAblEypgxu8n2t7N-
[11] – https://www.evalinator.com/how-to-interpret-a-wheel-of-life-and-take-effective-action/
[12] – https://www.psychologs.com/wheel-of-life-the-psychological-technique-to-find-balance/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbcg4SMp3nbcpqKl_b-j6oVGdKH5L3nQnMtah4IvXUgSmHiJ3r
