Feeling Stuck? The Wheel of Life Can Help You Find Your Next Step
Have you ever felt like your life is out of balance—like one area is getting all your energy while the rest feels neglected?
Maybe you’re focused on your career but feel disconnected from friends and family.
Maybe you’re pouring everything into your finances while your health takes a backseat.
Maybe you’re prioritizing your kids or caregiving but missing time for yourself.
That’s normal. Life is always shifting, and an unbalanced life doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re focused on what matters most right now.
But when you’re feeling stuck, drained, or overwhelmed, it’s a sign that your focus might need a small adjustment.
That’s where the Wheel of Life exercise comes in.
What Is the Wheel of Life?
The Wheel of Life is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you take a big-picture look at your life. It’s like a snapshot that shows where you’re feeling satisfied and where you might want to make a change.
It helps answer questions like:
Where am I thriving?
Where am I struggling?
Is my current focus working for me, or is it draining me?
What small shifts could help me feel better and move forward?
I often recommend that people do the Wheel of Life exercise when they are preparing to set goals or make a vision board because it helps us see our level of satisfaction with different areas of life. It highlights where we feel content and where we might want to make a change.
How to Do the Wheel of Life Exercise
Draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into 8 pie slices and label each section with an area of life (health, finances, relationships, etc). Or simply use my free Wheel of Life Template & Worksheet that you can get at bottom of this post.
Rate each area of your life on a scale from 1-10, based on how satisfied you feel, by adding a dot to that section (close to the center for 1 or at the perimeter for 10).
Connect the dots to see the balance between different life areas. Is this a wheel that will roll smoothly or more like a flat tire?
Reflect on where your energy is going right now—and whether that’s intentional or just happening by default.
Decide on ONE small action that could improve your satisfaction in a lower-scoring area.
The 8 Core Areas of Life (Customize as Needed!):
💼 Career & Work – Do you feel fulfilled in your work?
💰 Finances – Are you financially secure and in control of your money?
🏡 Home & Environment – Do you feel comfortable and happy where you live?
❤️ Relationships – Are you connected to friends, family, and loved ones?
🧠 Personal Growth & Learning – Are you challenging yourself and growing?
⚕️ Health & Well-being – Are you taking care of your physical and mental health?
🎉 Fun & Recreation – Are you making time for joy and hobbies?
🧘 Spirituality & Inner Peace – Do you feel connected to something greater than yourself?
Your Wheel Will Never Be Perfectly Balanced—And That’s Okay
Some people worry when their wheel looks lopsided, but here’s the truth: Life has seasons.
You don’t need to balance everything at once. Instead, ask yourself:
➡️ Is my current (im)balance working for me?
➡️ Or is it making life harder than it needs to be?
➡️ Would a small shift in another area help me feel more energized or satisfied?
For example:
If you’re job searching and feel exhausted, maybe adding a short walk or meal-prepping healthy food would help.
If you’re focused on finances, but feeling isolated, maybe scheduling a coffee date with a friend could lift your mood.
If you’re prioritizing family, but missing alone time, even five minutes of journaling could help you feel more grounded.
It’s not about fixing everything—it’s about making intentional choices instead of running on autopilot.
What’s Your Next Step?
If you’re feeling stuck, take 5 minutes to check in with yourself.
Step 1: Download the free Wheel of Life worksheet below ⬇.
Step 2: Take a quick inventory of where you are right now.
Step 3: Choose ONE small action to help you feel more balanced and energized.
Remember, you don’t need to overhaul your life. One small shift can change everything.
