Finding Life Balance: A Simple Tool to Transform Your Well-Being
Discover how the "Circle of Life" assessment can reveal hidden imbalances affecting your health, happiness, and personal growth
Why Balance Matters for Your Mental and Physical Health
Living a balanced life isn't just a nice concept—it's essential for holistic wellness. Yet most of us learn this truth not from advice, but through personal experience. Our own journeys become our greatest teachers, revealing where we're thriving and where we're struggling.
If you've ever found yourself overeating, overworking, or overspending, imbalance in your life may be the root cause. The good news? Once you identify which areas need attention, you can take meaningful steps toward lasting well-being.
The Circle of Life: A Powerful Self-Assessment Tool
Personal fitness expert Bob Greene, known for his work with Oprah Winfrey, developed an ingenious life balance assessment called "The Circle of Life." This simple exercise has helped countless people uncover surprising insights about where they're devoting—or neglecting—their time and energy.
How the Circle of Life Works
Imagine a pie chart divided into eight equal wedges. Each wedge represents a crucial life category:
Health – Physical wellness, nutrition, sleep, medical care
Fitness – Exercise, movement, physical activity
Career or Life Purpose – Work satisfaction, meaningful contribution
Family and Friends – Social connections, relationships with loved ones
Intimate Relationships – Romantic partnership, emotional intimacy
Money – Financial health, security, money management
Fun and Recreation – Hobbies, play, leisure activities
Spiritual Alignment – Connection to something greater, inner peace, meditation
These categories aren't listed by priority because they're all equally important for achieving genuine life balance.
How to Assess Your Life Balance
Take an honest look at how much time and energy you currently devote to each category. Most people discover they're doing well in 4 to 6 out of 8 areas—which deserves recognition and praise.
The real revelation comes from examining the neglected categories. These overlooked areas often operate below conscious awareness, yet they're frequently responsible for:
Destructive habits (overeating, overworking, overspending)
Chronic stress and anxiety
Feelings of dissatisfaction or emptiness
Most of our emotional suffering
Why Neglected Life Areas Create Imbalance
When I completed this exercise myself, I was startled by what I discovered. The categories I'd been ignoring hadn't even registered as deficient in my conscious mind. This awareness opened the door to exploring false beliefs and problematic thought patterns I didn't know existed.
Recognizing these imbalances has been transformational. By consciously choosing more supportive beliefs and directing attention to neglected areas, I've created sustainable balance in my life.
The Power of Awareness and Honest Self-Reflection
Once you become aware of imbalanced areas, there's no going back—and that's a good thing. Your feelings become valuable feedback. When you slip back into old patterns of neglect, discomfort arises quickly. Fear, doubt, and worry signal that your thoughts aren't aligned with your newly balanced approach to life.
Complete honesty is essential when doing this inner work. You can only be as honest as you're capable of being right now, and that capacity grows over time. As you progress on your personal growth journey, your self-honesty becomes clearer and more precise.
Progress, Not Perfection: The True Goal of Balance
Remember: perfection was never the objective. Progress is more than enough.
We are all works of art continuously evolving. We never reach a point of completion, and that's the true perfection of being human. There is no "done"—only ongoing growth and self-discovery.
Your Action Plan for Better Life Balance
Complete the Circle of Life assessment – Honestly evaluate each of the eight categories
Identify your neglected areas – Notice which categories receive little time or attention
Start small – Choose one neglected area and commit to one improvement this week
Pay attention to your feelings – Use emotional feedback as guidance
Practice self-compassion – Be the best version of yourself you can be right now
Stay open to growth – Approach personal development as naturally as breathing
Embrace Your Journey to Wholeness
Living in balance is an ongoing pursuit, not a destination. By using tools like the Circle of Life assessment, you gain clarity about where adjustments are needed. This awareness, combined with willingness to change limiting beliefs, creates the foundation for sustainable well-being.
Love yourself into ever-better health. Live your life in as balanced a manner as you can manage today. Stay as open to growing as you are to breathing.
It's all good.
Ready to improve your life balance? Explore more wellness resources and personal coaching options to support your journey toward holistic health.