The Wheel of Life Assessment: A Holistic Approach to End-of-Year Reflection

As the year draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on what has been achieved, how much you’ve grown, and where you’re headed. But have you ever wondered if you’re looking at the full picture of your life? With so many areas of life competing for attention, how do you ensure that you’re not overlooking something important simply because they don’t feel as urgent? 

At Naluri, we believe that health and wellness extend beyond physical health. Our health isn’t confined to just one area, such as physical fitness or work satisfaction; instead, it encompasses various facets of life that interact and influence one another. 

This is where the Wheel of Life assessment comes into play. The Wheel of Life assessment offers a unique approach to end-of-year reflection, helping you see beyond isolated achievements and assess your overall life balance. This holistic end-of-year reflection worksheet provides insights into different aspects of your life, guiding you in setting more meaningful, well-rounded goals for the upcoming year.

In this article, we will explore the significance of the Wheel of Life assessment and how it can facilitate meaningful end-of-year reflection.

The Wheel of Life assessment

The Wheel of Life assessment is a simple yet effective self-assessment tool created by Paul J. Meyer in the 1960s. It’s widely used in coaching and personal development circles to give individuals a clear, visual representation of their life as a whole, rather than isolated parts. 

The Wheel of Life assessment typically consists of a circular diagram divided into segments, each representing a key area of life, such as relationships, career, health, and personal fulfilment. By evaluating each area individually, you get a holistic view of your life, allowing you to see not just the highs and lows but how all aspects of life interconnect.

How can you use the Wheel of Life assessment for end-of-year reflection?

The Wheel of Life assessment involves three simple yet transformative steps: assessment, plotting, and reflection. Each step allows you to explore your lives, identify your strengths, and highlight areas that might need a little extra care and attention. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it for a meaningful end-of-year reflection:

Step 1: Assessment

Begin by evaluating each segment of your wheel on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely dissatisfied and 10 being fully satisfied.

The Wheel of Life assessment typically includes eight main areas, but feel free to adjust these based on your priorities. Here are the common segments you’ll find:

1. Relationships: This segment reflects the quality and depth of your relationships with family, friends, and community. Consider the support you give and receive, as well as the time and energy invested in these connections.
2. Love: This part of the wheel focuses on your love life and romantic relationships. Are you happy and connected? Are there areas where you’d like to improve communication or create more shared experiences?
3. Career: This segment addresses professional growth, learning, and development. How satisfied are you with your current role? Are there skills you’d like to develop or milestones you’d like to achieve?
4. Health and wellness: This covers physical, mental, and emotional health. Are you managing stress well? Are you meeting your goals for physical fitness, sleep, and nutrition? Mental and emotional wellbeing are equally vital.
5. Leisure and fun: Hobbies, relaxation, and enjoyment fall into this category. Consider whether you have activities that bring joy and relaxation into your life. Are you taking time for yourself and doing things that spark joy?
6. Living situation: This segment includes your home, environment, and location. How happy are you with where you live? Does it feel safe, comfortable, and aligned with your lifestyle?
7. Finances: This area considers financial stability, savings, and investments. Reflect on your current financial health and whether you’re meeting your financial goals.
8. Personal fulfilment: This is about growth, purpose, values, and spirituality. Reflect on whether you feel connected to your purpose and whether you’re living in alignment with your values.

As you assess each area, consider the highs, lows, and in-betweens you experienced this year. Take your time in reflecting on how satisfied you feel and what factors might influence each rating. 

Step 2: Plot your scores

After you’ve evaluated each area, plot your scores on the Wheel of Life assessment. Mark a point on each segment that represents your satisfaction level, then connect the dots to create a unique shape within the wheel.

If your shape is round and even, this suggests a balanced life with each area receiving the care it needs. But more commonly, the shape will appear uneven, highlighting areas that need more attention. This visualisation step of the Wheel of Life assessment provides clarity on life balance, showing where intentional action may bring greater fulfilment.

Seeing your Wheel of Life shape is often an “aha” moment. It’s a chance to observe the interconnectedness of life areas and the impact that imbalances can have. For example, a high satisfaction level in your career segment with lower satisfaction in relationships may suggest that career demands are taking time from personal connections. This step encourages us to seek harmony and address any imbalances.

Step 3: Reflection

With your Wheel of Life plotted, it’s time to reflect on what your results mean. This is where the end-of-year reflection becomes truly valuable. Ask yourself the following questions to deepen your understanding and gain clarity:

• What contributed to my higher scores? Identify the actions, habits, or relationships that contributed to these successes.

• What led to lower scores? Reflect on the challenges that affected certain areas and what could be done differently in the coming year.

• How do I feel about my overall balance? Consider whether this Wheel of Life shape aligns with the life you want to create.

This end-of-year reflection practice is transformative because it goes beyond surface-level assessments. It invites you to dig deeper, examining how each area interconnects with others and where your energy may be needed to bring greater harmony.

Here’s a downloadable Wheel of Life template. This end-of-year reflection worksheet provides a structured approach, guiding you through assessment and reflection for a meaningful year-end review.

What if my wheel looks uneven?

An uneven Wheel of Life is normal and even expected. Life is dynamic, and it’s common for different areas to need more or less attention at any given time. Instead of seeing an uneven wheel as a shortcoming, view it as an opportunity to refocus and create meaningful change. Here are a few tips to approach an uneven Wheel of Life:

An uneven Wheel of Life shows that certain areas are demanding more of your attention and energy than others. Instead of striving for “perfection” in every area, focus on the segments that matter most to you right now. Life is constantly shifting, and it’s natural for different areas to require more energy at different times. Prioritising one or two areas doesn’t mean neglecting others; it simply means you’re putting concentrated effort where it’s most needed for the time being.

Ask yourself:

• Which areas currently feel the most important to me?
• What changes would make the biggest positive impact on my overall life satisfaction?

This approach allows you to acknowledge your current priorities while keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Once you have identified an area of life that you’d like to prioritise in your Wheel of Life assessment, it’s helpful to create a structured action plan. An effective way to do this is by using SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method transforms broad aspirations into concrete, manageable steps, making it easier to stay focused and track your progress.

For example, if the area of life that you’d want to work on is physical health, your action plan for physical health using the SMART framework could look something like this:

"For the next three months, I will increase my daily activity by completing a 30-minute workout three times a week to improve my physical fitness and energy levels."

Sometimes, the areas needing improvement can benefit from small “nudges” that make taking action easier. Nudge Theory is all about setting up your environment and routine to encourage positive choices without requiring constant effort or willpower. Think of it as creating gentle reminders or designing your surroundings to make healthy habits easier to maintain. Read our article on Nudge Theory to learn how to self-nudge to achieve your health goals.

Improving life balance doesn’t have to be an individual journey. Seek out a friend, partner, or mentor who can offer support or even join you in working toward your goals. Sharing your Wheel of Life results with someone you trust can add accountability, encouragement, and fresh perspectives. If you’re open to it, consider joining a group or community that shares similar goals, where you can exchange advice, share wins, and tackle challenges together.

Conclusion

As you approach the end of the year, consider making time for a holistic end-of-year reflection using the Wheel of Life assessment. This end-of-year reflection worksheet provides insight into the intricate balance of your life, guiding you to approach the new year with clarity, intention, and balance.

By embracing this process, you open yourself up to understanding the interconnectedness of various life areas and prioritising your overall wellbeing. Whether your Wheel of Life is perfectly balanced or has room for growth, remember that this reflection journey is about nurturing the life you want to create, one step at a time.

Ready to gain deeper insights and create a plan for a more balanced life? Book a 1-on-1 consultation or chat with a Naluri Mental Health Coach on the Naluri App or Web to explore your unique Wheel of Life and work on strategies tailored to your goals. A Naluri Mental Health Coach can provide personalised support, helping you set meaningful goals and navigate any challenges you may face along the way. Take this opportunity to start the new year empowered, with a clear path towards greater balance and fulfilment.