Ever felt like life is full, but not fulfilling?
Like you’re busy, but something still feels... off?
That “off” feeling isn’t random - it’s often a sign that something in your life isn’t aligned with what truly matters to you.
In this post, we’ll explore:
- Why balance doesn’t mean doing everything equally
- How to use the Wheel of Life to pinpoint imbalance
- The difference between beliefs and values
- Why alignment matters for clarity, energy, and self-worth
- How to begin making gentle shifts toward what’s true for you
Where Are You Feeling Out of Sync?
We often try to fix what we can see: the stress, the relationship tension, the lack of time.
But those are often symptoms, not the root cause.
The real source of imbalance can often be traced back to two things:
- We’re spending time on things that don’t align with our core values
- We’re holding onto beliefs that quietly limit our growth
Before we go deeper, let’s take a look at the Wheel of Life — a simple self-coaching tool to see where you might feel stretched, disconnected, or dissatisfied.
What Is the Wheel of Life?
The Wheel of Life is a visual tool that helps you evaluate how satisfied you feel in different areas of your life. Typically, it includes:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Career or Purpose
- Finances
- Relationships
- Personal Growth
- Fun & Leisure
- Home or Environment
- Spirituality or Connection
You're invited to rate each area from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied) and then plot those numbers on a wheel to see where things are thriving — and where they’re wobbling.
Reminder: Balance doesn’t mean equal. It means your outer life reflects your inner values.
The Role of Beliefs and Values in Life Balance
What are Values?
Values are your core principles - the things you deeply care about.
Examples include freedom, creativity, honesty, security, connection, impact.
When your actions and life choices are aligned with your values, you feel energised, content, and grounded.
When they aren’t, you feel stuck, resentful, or unfulfilled.
According to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), living in alignment with values increases well being and psychological flexibility (Hayes et al., 2006).
What are Beliefs?
Beliefs are the thoughts you hold as true - about yourself, others, or the world.
Some are empowering (“I always find a way”), while others are limiting (“I’m not cut out for this”).
Beliefs often operate under the surface, shaped by childhood, culture, or past experiences.
The problem? Many of them are outdated, and you didn’t consciously choose them.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) shows that challenging limiting beliefs can reduce anxiety, depression, and improve decision-making (Beck, 2011).
Try This Mini Exercise:
1. Complete a Wheel of Life Check-In
Score each area from 1 to 10. Where do you feel fulfilled? Where feels low or neglected?
2. List Your Top 5 Values
Try using a values list (or reflect on times you felt proud or fulfilled). What values were being honoured in those moments?
3. Compare Your Life to Your Values
Look at the areas you scored low. Are your values missing from those parts of your life?
4. Notice Any Beliefs Getting in the Way
Example: If freedom is a core value, but you feel trapped in a job, what belief is keeping you stuck? (“I can’t afford to change” or “I’ll fail if I try”)
I have a wheel of life worksheet that can help guide you through, step by step. You can find a copy here.
Realignment Happens in Small Shifts.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight.
Sometimes, a 5% change in the way you spend your time, speak your truth, or say no to what drains you can bring things back into balance.
Start by honouring one value in one area of your life this week. That’s enough.
Reflection:
Which part of your life feels most out of alignment right now - and which value of yours is being neglected in that space?
Journal it, draw your Wheel of Life, or simply reflect. Awareness is a step forward.
A Quote to Keep in Mind:
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” – Roy E. Disney
Coming Up Next:
Turning Insight Into Action: How to Set Goals That Actually Stick
Now that you’ve taken a deeper look into your beliefs and values — and hopefully explored the Wheel of Life — it’s time to put that self-awareness to work.
In our next post, we’ll dive into the art and science of goal setting. You’ll learn:
- Why goals often fail (and how to make them work for you)
- How to set goals that align with who you really are
- Simple ways to stay motivated even when things get tough
- Research-backed strategies that make your goals stick
If you’ve ever set a goal and felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just “off” — this next one’s for you.
Stay tuned. It's where clarity meets action.
Empowered you - Coaching and self-help tools to help you reconnect, reset, and rise - at your pace, in your way.
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