Introspection: self-examination, without judgement and with awareness of one's own biases, of one's mental and emotional state. Bonus points for deeper examination into one's spiritual state.

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Week One

One type of tool used in coaching called either a "Happiness Wheel" or "Wheel of Life" helps coachees define define the current state of balance in their life: what matters to them and how happy they are with where they stand in relation to these topics that are common concerns for all of us. The degree of satisfaction or happiness (from 1 to 10) and the number of concerns sitting at 5 or above can be a good measurement of the coachee's current reality. Lower numbers indicate where they may want to put their attention or efforts to improve the condition.

Below are some simplified visual examples of these tools. Searches on either "Happiness Wheel" or "Wheel of Life" will return dozens of results. Coachee and Coach should agree on which, if any, tool to use. A search on "printable wheel of life template" will also return results providing simple diagrams that represent the concepts behind the tool.

Happiness Wheel and Wheel of Life Examples (source: Adobe Stock Images)

Happiness Wheel and Wheel of Life Examples (source: Adobe Stock Images)

The following instructions are based on a Happiness Wheel where a multi-colored wheel is divided into sections and sub-sections for the following areas:

Each sub-section is ranked 1-10.

Other formats suggest six, eight or ten sections. Coachees may pick the sections that most reflect their life areas of concern.

The following exercises represent the R ("Current Reality") in the GROW model of personal change. In these exercises you examine your personal and work values and your strengths and opportunities. These then lead to G ("Goals") as reflected in your future resume.

Happiness Wheel Exercise

  1. Mark each portion or slice of the wheel with the level of satisfaction or happiness you derive from the activities or attention you devote to that section, from 0 to 10.
  2. Note what gets a 5 or above, and what part of the wheel that fits in.