Some people lose sight of some of the key elements in their lives. They often put too much effort into one or two aspects to the detriment of others. This tool demonstrates the need to achieve balance in your life. Don't underestimate this tool.
Experience has shown us that it has a big impact on a lot of people, particularly middle-aged business executives. They know immediately that life balance is an issue for them. Relationships at home are a problem, fitness is reducing, and stress is increasing. This program can be used to address all of these issues.
What is life balance?
Many people regard financial success as the ultimate personal success key performance measure. We hold the six areas of life shown below as equally important. There is no point in having financial success without having success in your health or family life.
With the pace of life running at full throttle we find little time for what's really important to us. You have responsibility to your family, your workplace, community, school, sport or social activities just to name a few all competing for your valuable attention. Life balance is essential.
Many people focus on only one or two areas to the detriment of the others. Someone might make a lot of money, but have no family life. Another person might have great health, but have no family life. Another person might have great health, but limited mental development.
The key is to invest the same amount of time and energy into all six areas. A common question asked when looking at the Life Balance wheel below is "Where is work ?" In this case, work is part of the vehicle that we are using.
Step by Step Guide
1. Draw a circle and using three lines, dissect the circle into six segments as shown below.
2. List the important areas in life. If you are working with someone don't censor any suggestions but if you get any that you don't want, acknowledge the value of their suggestion and write it down as an option.
3. Name each segment. Feel free to rename the wheel segments. There is nothing magic in our six areas, we feel that they cover the key areas in life. We have selected Social, Family, Health, Finance, Mental and Philosophy.
4. Once the segments are named pick one and ask how well you/they are performing in that area. For example if you're looking at 'Health', ask the question, " How satisfied are you with your health? " What score would you give it out of 10, where 0 is poor and ten is good? People often find it difficult to score the segments. Go with your first thought. Over time you will find you score harder. It is virtually impossible to achieve a score of 10.
As you get close you change your definition of a 10. Remember we are aiming for balance, not a perfect 10. Typical scores are Social - 3/10, Family - 5/10, Health - 7/10, Finance - 2/10, Mental - 2/10, Philosophy - 3/10.
5. Once the scores are determined draw an arc on the segment where 0 is the centre of the circle and 10 is the outer rim.
6. Shade in the scored areas. The resulting shape is your wheel of life. What does your wheel look like? Is it balanced? Is it a complete circle? If so, your wheel will turn. Is it a semicircle? Your problem will be that it will complete half a turn and then stop. Which areas do you need to work on? What activities do you need to undertake to improve your score? For example:
Family : Do you provide high value to all family members?
Social : How much time do you have for relaxation?
Finance : Do you pay your bills on time? Are you financially secure?
Mental : What personal development activities are you undertaking?
Philosophy : Have you got a set of core values?
Health : How much exercise are you doing? Are you drinking too much?
7. Draw your ideal score on each wheel segment and ask what would you need to do to get your life into balance.
8. Finally, develop action plans to improve the score in the key segments as shown below.
9. You can use the Life Balance tool to audit your life, set targets, carry out a Gap Analysis and even to develop action plans. Give it a try!
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