The Wheel of Life (WOL)is one of the most commonly used coaching tools.  Most coaches have one hidden in their toolbox. I didn't use it for years because I wanted to be different. But I remembered how many of my clients found it very valuable. So recently I've come back to it with fresh eyes and a new respect. It's a wonderful exercise that draws power from its simplicity.

What is it?

The WOL consists of a circle that's divided into eight segments (like pieces of a pie or spokes in a wheel). Each segment represents an area of life. These often vary, depending on the coaching focus (or which version of the wheel is being used).

How do you use it?

The WOL is a great introductory 'snapshot' of your life. You rate each area of life on a scale from 0 to 10 and draw a little line across the relevant segment. Once completed you can quickly see which areas of your life need a bit of attention.

Where does it come from?

I have no idea who created the first wheel. (Do you know? Email me.) And there are so many variations of it around that it's hard to know what the original version is. The one I use is an adaptation of Whitworth, Kimsey-House & Sandahl's (1998) version. I love their Wheel because they give a little wheel example and refer to the 'bumpy ride' when your wheel is out of balance.

What's so good about it?

It's simple. It lets you define what's important in each area of your life and rate how you're going against your own subjective ideal. This is compared to some other 'discovery' tools that impose a value system of success or satisfaction on you).

It's visual. For those of us who prefer to receive information in the form of pictures, the wheel sends an instant message of what's going on.

It's adaptable. You can take it to a deeper level and access core issues from it. You can use it to draw out a vision. And you can use it as a precursor to goal setting (as with one presented here). Oh, and it's the perfect metaphor for balance and wholeness.

It's quick. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete so you're not wading through questions for 45 minutes.