Life Been a Little Bumpy?

Use This Tool to Smooth Your Ride!

Last month, we took a look at why setting and achieving goals can be difficult. Now we’ll consider a tool that can help to identify the goals you want to achieve.

The Wheel of Life is an excellent tool that supports you in setting goals by taking a snapshot of your life today. The wheel is a circle that divides your life into eight sections. Categories covered in the wheel might include areas such as financial, social, personal growth, work, recreation, home environment, etc. Within each category, you have the chance to assess where you are and rate yourself on a scale of 1-10. Once you rate the area, you can color it in, creating the spokes on your wheel. Then, take a look at the chart and ask yourself: How easily can your wheel of life turn?
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You will begin to see which areas of your life satisfy you and which areas need improvement. The wheel of life is a good indicator of just how much balance you have in your life. Today’s fast-paced world can knock us off balance, and we’re not aware that we’ve neglected things that are important to us.
A blank wheel can be personalized to create categories that apply specifically to you. For example, you might dedicate an entire wheel to self-care or personal growth. The wheel helps you identify not only what you value, but also helps you ask the question, “Am I living according to the things I say that I value?” While many of us may say that we value our spouses, how much time are we actually spending with them? People with ADHD can especially benefit from generating such awareness about their lives.

You could make one in five minutes. Here’s how:

1. Draw a large circle on a blank sheet of paper.

1. Divide your large circle into 8 pieces, so it looks like a sliced pie.
2. Fill in the divided circle with concentric circles that go from small in the center to large at the edge.
3. Label each of the eight categories to reflect areas of your life, such as finances, work, family, etc.
4. Label the center of the wheel as 1. Number the circles outward, up to 10.
5. Rate your level of satisfaction with the eight areas of your life, with one being the most satisfied and 10 (the outer rim) being the highest. Answer as honestly as you can. 
6. Color in your rated areas, so each category is highlighted. Now trace around the edge of the colored areas, forming an inner wheel.
7. How easily does your wheel turn? If you have several 2s or 3s, along with 7s and 8s, your wheel will not easily turn. This indicates a life out of balance.
8. Remember that this tool isn’t about judging yourself; it is about informing yourself. On any given day your numbers may vary, depending on how you are feeling about your life.
9. Armed with this information, you can identify which areas of your life where you might be ready to create positive change.

People with ADHD often find greater success working with another person to set and achieve goals than by working alone. You can use the results of this exercise as a springboard for a discussion with someone who understands ADHD and can help you find a sense of fulfillment in life, like an ADHD coach.

Download this FREE Wheel of Life example.

Interested in learning more? Call today for your complimentary session.  Discover how the wheel of life can empower you to move ahead in your life!