In our busy lives, it can be challenging to stop and look at yourself from afar. The Wheel of Balance is an excellent tool that can give you a vivid visual representation of your current life and how you’d like it to be in the future. The idea behind the concept is simple – if you don’t have a balance among all your life fields, you’ll never be fulfilled and happy.
Open your Cloudberry planner’s B side. There, you will find a template for filling out the Wheel of Balance. At first, it may seem confusing, but don’t feel discouraged – we’ve got your back! Here are tips and tricks to fill out your Wheel of Balance.
Why should you make one every year
The benefits of the Wheel of Balance can be fully experienced after some time has passed. It’s a great way to identify which parts of your life are off balance and need more focus. Likewise, sometimes we get lost in the hustle and bustle and don’t see how much we’ve actually accomplished.
Paul J. Meyer was one of the masterminds behind the modern-day version of the wheel, created in 1960. While more than 60 years have passed, it still remains an effective tool today. By looking at your Wheel of Balance (and its previous versions), you can appreciate how much you’ve done already and give yourself a nice pat on the back.
So, how can you begin creating one? First, you must understand the Wheel of Balance consists of four parts. The first one relates to self-realization, the second relates to your resources (for example, health), the third to your relationships, and the last one focuses on yourself.
While we are sharing tips to help you create your Wheel of Balance, keep in mind there are no rules to doing this. You should find your own ideal strategy.
All you need to make your Wheel of Balance is a pen, a bit of colour, and patience. Let’s d
Self-realization (the sector at the bottom of the page)
This is the basis of your life. It’s your work, business, studies, projects, and anything else that answers the question, “What is my occupation?”. Think about what self-realization means for you. Find actions that matter to you. Analyze why it’s important for yourself to give your energy to these fields.
Come up with goals you’d like to accomplish in the next year, for instance, a promotion, a career change, or starting a new project. Ideally, it should be something you can measure.
Once you’ve done that, score each goal from one to ten, comparing it to where you’re right now. For example, if you’d like to earn 2000 euros per month, weigh it up to your current salary. How close are you to your goal?
Your resources (the sector on the top)
The next topic is resources. Here, you have to focus on what gives you strength and inspiration – mainly your health. Discuss what matters to you in emotional, mental, and physical health. Perhaps, it’s being in good shape or looking your best. Set goals that will make you feel emotionally fulfilled. If you’d like to travel or study next year, you can mention it here.
Relationships (on the left)
On the left, you have to fill out everything related to relationships and human connections. That doesn’t mean just your family or friends. Remember, you have colleagues, employees, and other people in your life.
Pay attention to what kind of relationships you have and what values are important to you. Perhaps, this year is all about trust or honesty. Try to focus on it. By filling out this field, you’ll better understand which relationships you’re ready to say goodbye to.
Yourself (on the right)
Finish your Wheel of Balance by filling out a sector that puts you in the center. Pay special attention to this field – after all, everything starts with yourself. For the three other sectors to work, you must first focus on yourself.
Have an honest look at your qualities – especially those you don’t like – and see how they could be improved. If you hate socializing, now may be the time to spruce up your communication skills. If you’re the life of the party every single day, maybe you should consider practicing meditation. Think about what could broaden your horizon and make you better as a human being.
The Wheel of Balance will have the most power if you give yourself a specific timeframe. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is how you can become the best version of yourself.
End notes
Finishing your Wheel of Balance will require time and effort – don’t expect to do it within ten minutes. We suggest setting aside at least a few days to really think about what matters in your life. If you’re still confused about filling out the weel, have a look at this 2-minute video, which explains the process in a simple, quick way.
However, don’t restrict yourself with rules or guidelines. Let your creativity flow as you’re making your Wheel of Balance.
