Through the years I have found lots of people, both individuals and couples, that come to me for assistance in identifying problems and needs and then working toward solutions. There are lots of assessments and analyses that can be used to help in this search for solutions, often at quite an expense.

There is also a common and very useful tool that is often used in Life Coaching called the Wheel of Life. This little chart is both simple and, dare I say, profoundly effective in helping to begin the process of focusing on the deeper needs of the individual or couple.

There are lots of different emphases that you might see in the Wheel of Life. A common form might have several categories for a person to consider. For example, you might be asked to rate your level of satisfaction in areas such as:

• Money and Finances
• Career
• Health and Fitness
• Recreation
• Community Involvement
• Family and Friends
• Partner and Love
• Personal Growth
• Spirituality

What you will see when you look at the Wheel of Life is a pie-shaped chart with anywhere from 6 to 10 sections that are individually labeled. You will be asked to rate your level of satisfaction for each segment, usually from 1 to 10, with 1 being not satisfied and 10 being very satisfied. Once you complete the chart, your Life Coach will have a quick analysis of what you have rated as your levels of greatest need as well as satisfaction. Thus begins the process of evaluation and goal-setting that will put you on the path to reaching your goals and finding greater satisfaction.

I have several forms of the Wheel of Life that I use. One is the general form with some of the categories listed above. Another I have designed specifically for Marriage. Some of the categories in this form include:

• Spirituality
• Trust
• Conflict Resolution
• Social/Recreational
• In-laws
• Finances
• Parenting
• Being Loved/Respected
• Communication
• Sexually fulfilled

A third form I have designed for men, to be applied in the Rebuilding the Biblical Man coaching that I have planned. Categories in this Wheel of Life include:

• Being emotionally connected
• Financially stable
• Being respected
• Career satisfaction
• Being sexually fulfilled
• Socially comfortable
• Health/Wellness
• Parenting
• Spiritual growth
• Marriage satisfaction

You can see that this kind of self-evaluation can be very useful in getting started on the road to success in your life and marriage. The value of the Wheel of Life is that you are evaluating your own levels of satisfaction. Your Life Coach will take your overview and begin to help you in setting your goals and beginning their pursuit. For example, you might score yourself high on career satisfaction but moderate or low on Personal Growth. That becomes the place we begin to evaluate and determine a process that works for you to improve your level of satisfaction.

As I mentioned above, most assessments have a cost attached to them. The Life Coach pays for access and you pay whatever cost the Coach passes along to you. On the other hand, there is no cost for the use of the Wheel of Life. Your cost is just the fee for the session(s) with no additional expense for the assessment.

Once you compete the Wheel of Life, there will be a few sessions to consider, evaluate and begin the process of setting goals based on your expressed needs. If you would like more information about the application of the Wheel of Life, please contact me via the information below.

Chuck Phillips, Licensed Christian Pastoral Counselor, N.C.C.A. Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach, I.B.C.C.

LifeChoicesCLC.Com LifeChoicesCLC@gmail.com 573-280-5093