As a leader in tech, you’ve got a lot on your plate—career demands, personal growth, relationships, and everything in between. When things start to feel out of balance (or out of control), it’s time to pause and take stock. Enter the Wheel of Life—one of the most effective and versatile tools in any coach’s toolkit.

I’ve been using the Wheel of Life since the beginning of my coaching journey, and it’s become a staple when I need a quick reality check or want to help my clients gain clarity. No matter what level of seniority you’ve achieved in your career, this tool offers a snapshot of how things are really going across the important areas of your life. It may sound a bit new-age, but I found it one of the best ways to quantify ambiguous parts of your life and create clarity. Think of it as a dashboard for your well-being.

What is the wheel of life?

The Wheel of Life helps you assess key areas, revealing where things might be flowing smoothly and where you might be hitting a few roadblocks. It’s simple, powerful, and applies to everyone—especially high-performing professionals like you who are juggling multiple responsibilities.

Here’s how to use the Wheel of Life and make it work for you.

The wheel: areas to evaluate

These are the life categories you’ll rank:

• Career & Business

• Money & Finances

• Romance & Significant Other

• Physical Space / Home / Environment

• Friends & Family

• Personal Growth & Spirituality 

• Fun & Creativity

• (Physical/Mental) Health & Fitness

How to use the wheel of life

1. Rate your satisfaction
   Start by ranking your satisfaction in each area from 1 to 10. Ten means you’re highly satisfied, and 1 means there’s a lot of room for improvement. Don’t overthink it—go with your gut.

2. Pause and reflect
   Once you’ve completed your first pass, take a step back and reflect. How do you feel about the balance in your life? Any surprises? Maybe you just landed your dream role as a Head of Design, but your personal life feels neglected. Or maybe you’ve built an incredible career and have fully vested, but creativity and fun have been on the back burner.

Action step: reflection questions

• What areas do you feel most satisfied with?

• Which numbers surprised you?

• Are there areas where you’d like to increase your satisfaction?

Take it further: make a plan

Now, let’s take it up a notch. Pick one area where you want that number to be higher. Maybe it’s your personal growth, or perhaps it’s finally prioritizing time with your friends and family.

Action step:

• Choose one area you want to improve.

• Identify 5 things you could do to move that number up.

Pro tip: keep it actionable

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Out of the five actions you identified, choose one thing that you could start doing today. This is where the magic happens—when you take a small, tangible step toward growth.

Make it yours

I use the Wheel of Life regularly because it helps me stay grounded and intentional about where I’m focusing my energy. Anytime I feel like things are spinning out of control, I return to it for clarity. And as a leader in a fast-paced industry, having this tool in your back pocket is like having a north star for your personal and professional growth.

For me, writing about this process is part of my own growth. Every time I feel like the inner critic (or saboteur) starts creeping in, I remind myself: this article won’t be a best-selling novel here—I’m sharing a tool that’s helped me and countless others navigate the complexities of life and leadership.

Your turn: homework assignment

1. Complete your wheel of life
   Download my free PDF here, or grab a piece of paper and draw your wheel.
   Rate your satisfaction in each area.
   
   

2. Identify one area to improve
   Choose one area you’d like to focus on.
   List 5 actionable steps you could take to improve that score.
   
   

3. Commit to one action today
   Pick one of those steps and take action today. Whether it’s making that doctor’s appointment or scheduling some much-needed “me time,” get started now.

Remember, this is about progress—not perfection. So go easy on yourself and celebrate every step you take toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If this exercise resonated with you, and you’re ready to take your leadership and life to the next level, let’s talk. I work with design and tech leaders like you who want to not only excel in their careers but thrive in all aspects of life. Book an intro session with me, and let’s get started on crafting your own success story.

This tool isn’t just for one-time use—make it a habit. Each time you revisit the Wheel of Life, you’ll gain new insights and keep yourself aligned with your goals, whether that’s climbing to the next level in your career or deepening your personal growth.