The Wheel of Life is a circular self-assessment tool created by Paul J. Meyer in the 1960s that enables individuals to evaluate satisfaction across major life domains using visual scoring. Originally developed for Success Motivation Institute (SMI) and popularized as a standard coaching tool by the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) in the 1990s, this instrument has become foundational in personal development, helping practitioners identify imbalances, prioritize improvements, and track progress over time. Unlike binary goal checklists, the Wheel reveals nuanced satisfaction patterns through segmented visualization, making abstract life balance tangible and actionable. The tool's enduring value lies in its ability to transform subjective feelings into measurable baselines that guide meaningful change.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers
This topic spans 13 focused tables and 138 indexed concepts. Below is a complete table-by-table outline of this topic, spanning foundational concepts through advanced details.
Table 1: Core Assessment Components
The Wheel of Life's power comes from its visual simplicity: a circle divided into labeled segments lets a person see their entire life on one page at once. Understanding these structural components — how scoring works, what gaps mean, and why the shape matters — is the foundation for using the tool effectively.
| Component | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
Circle divided into 8–10 equal segments, each labeled with a life domain | • Visual framework where each segment represents a distinct life area • the circle's shape reveals overall balance at a glance | |
Health, Career, Finances, Relationships, Personal Growth, Fun & Recreation, Environment, Spirituality | • Key areas of life scored independently • typically 8–10 domains, customizable to the individual | |
Rate each domain 0–10 where 0 = absent/non-existent, 10 = completely satisfied | • Subjective numerical rating of current satisfaction • creates a quantifiable baseline for tracking and comparison | |
Mark each score on its spoke, draw lines connecting adjacent scores | • Creates the visual shape of the wheel • a smooth, round shape means balance, a jagged/irregular shape reveals imbalance | |
Current score 4 vs. desired score 8 = gap of 4 points | • Difference between current and desired satisfaction • larger gaps indicate priority areas for improvement |