Year ago I was introduced to a tool aptly known as the balance wheel. The purpose of the balance wheel was to indicate your level of happiness related to these eight areas of your life. It was an assessment tool for personal improvement.
Here is a picture of one balance wheel and the eight areas for living a rocking life.
The idea behind this wheel is to determine how satisfied you are in each of these eight areas of your life. Any area that comes up low on the zero to ten assessment scale is a prime candidate for improvement in your life. I will share more of the scoring system shortly.
I suggest you begin with these eight and adjust as you find the need so that your balance wheel morphs to your life balance. And first, the “why” for using this balance wheel.
The overall purpose of using the balance wheel would be so that you can see what is working well in your life and what may need attention. For example, in my balance wheel I discovered that my lack of physical activity was creating poor eating habits, low energy, and obesity. If this key area of my life was out of control (balance) how could I go out and “Help people create a vision that matters.” I would be selling a lie.
Can you see that balance in each area is support for the other? This activity also helps you live the vision you intend.
As I used the balance wheel in my own life to assess where I was in each of these categories something important occurred to me. These three areas were highly important to supporting my personal vision and if I worked more diligently on each I would learn to help others in a genuine way.
These are my three top visions created from my balance wheel activity.
My vision for my life (including my health) is…
I envision owning my own motivational company that helps others maximize their potential in life. This allows me the life I intend, and lifts others to the life they may have envisioned as well.
I envision a body lighter, blood pressure lower, and vibrant with energy and happiness.
My vision for my work, career, job, and team is…
I envision a career path that begins today. Over the next 18 years, I expect to become a respected senior leader who will be remembered as an innovative thinker who did more than talk.
My vision for my relationship and family is…
I envision a more relaxed life with my wife. This will come about by reducing our debt and interacting more often instead of watching television.
I envision the best for my children. Ryan is off to a running start. Megan is in need of more hands on attention. I would like to help her financially and first I must help myself.
From these vision statements came the plan, the goals, and the actions.
Now… let’s dive into your vision statement. Please don’t worry about the personal vision statements yet, we will get to that later. For now we will work on completing an accurate balance wheel for you.
First, pull out a clean sheet of paper and draw a circle. Divide it up as shown above, into eight sections. Label each category. The center of your balance wheel represents zero. Zero represents that you are completely not satisfied in this area of your life. It may be a prime indicator that you need vision and a plan for personal improvement in this area of your life. On the outer edge of the balance wheel is 10. Ten would indicate you are totally satisfied with this area of your life, no action may be needed.
Really give serious thought to each area of your balance wheel. How satisfied are you in that area?
Rank each area of your balance wheel from zero (needs help) to ten (working well). If you indicate a low number, such as two or three, this is an indicator that this area of your life needs work. You may need a clear vision and plan for improving your number.
Discovering where you presently are may be a great tool for bounding forward in creating a life that matters, and is balanced, for you. Begin here. Find out what is working and where you have opportunities. Vision will come from this activity.
Stay tuned.
Read more from this series:
- Your balance wheel
- Visioning from the inside out
- Core values that support your vision
- Planning and goals setting
- Taking action on your vision
- Be intentional with your vision
- Course correcting and rewards
Successful businesses have vision statements. These statements are usually short. They are intentional in nature. This means the statement reflects a core purpose for the business to both employees and customers. Further, the company vision statement helps a company create an identity, set values and principles, as well as, define the aim of the business. Ultimately, a company vision statement paints a vivid picture of future aspirations.
