CHAPTER 2

The Wheel of Life
Coaching Technique

Here's the thing...

No matter how focused and disciplined your client is and no matter how hard they work...

Life can get in the way.

Priorities expand, shrink and change based on what's going on in their life.

That's why it's good to regularly assess where they are and how they feel about their current reality so they can get back on track if they need to.

One of the most effective coaching techniques to address this is The Wheel of Life.

The Wheel of Life is a powerful yet simple coaching tool that will allow your client to take an honest, non-judgmental look at some of the most important areas of their life.

This coaching technique will help them gain or regain a sense of direction, focus, purpose, and balance.

HOW TO USE THIS COACHING TECHNIQUE

Start by asking your client to draw a circle on a sheet of paper.

Then have them divide the circle into 8 segments labelling each one with the following themes:

1. Family and Friends
2. Romance
3. Personal Growth
4. Business/Career
5. Finances
6. Health
7. Fun and Recreation
8. Physical Environment

Now ask your client to evaluate each segment on the Wheel on a scale of 1 to 10 -- 10 equals "extremely satisfied" and 1 equals "zero satisfaction."

Now, have them write that number in the segment.

An alternate version is to draw the Wheel and 8 segments, and then draw a line from the center of the wheel to the outer edge of each segment.

Finally, divide the line into 10 sections to mark the level of satisfaction within each category. See image below:

When your client is done, ask them to rank the weakest to the strongest segments in the Wheel, based on their evaluation.

Identify 1 to 3 actions your client can take to boost each category, starting from the weakest.

The Wheel of Life provides a visual representation of the contrast between the client's current reality and their desired reality.

It's a game-changing tool that's especially good for clients who feel a significant lack of balance, joy and satisfaction in their life.

CHAPTER 3

The Moonshot
Coaching Technique

The Moonshot Technique is perfect for clients who can't clearly identify life or work goals that inspire them.

This usually happens when a client has lost their sense of purpose, adventure, and excitement for life.

It's a symptom of feeling trapped in a meaningless daily routine filled with mundane activities that are boring and unchallenging to the client.

The Moonshot Goal technique will help resolve this problem.

Empty heading

HOW TO USE THIS COACHING TECHNIQUE

Start by asking your client a series of questions that will take them out of their current thinking.

For instance...

What is a secret dream you had when you were a kid?

What are some activities and experiences that fill you with joy, excitement, and enthusiasm?

The idea is to motivate your clients to start thinking bigger and bolder and to remember long lost dreams and desires.

When they've answered your questions, have them start a list of things they'd love to do, be and have.

Give them free reign to come up with as many answers as they want.

Encourage them to go for "moonshot goals" - goals that feel huge and maybe even a little crazy but highly exciting.

This could be anything. A first class trip around the world, writing a New York Times bestseller or even reversing global warming.

When they have their Moonshot Goal list, ask them to circle 1 to 3 goals. Goals that feel BIG but within reach.

Then work with them to break down each goal into smaller, doable steps.

For instance, if their dream is to write a New York Times bestseller, have them start working toward that dream by setting aside time to write every single day.

This coaching technique will help them gain or regain a sense of direction, focus, purpose, and balance.

One thing to keep in mind when using this technique is that clients may face a Possibility Hangover - they start overthinking about their ambitious goals and get stuck. This is where you step in to coach them out of that thinking spiral and into taking action. 

Create Your Own Moonshot Questions

List out 3 additional questions you could ask clients with the Moonshot Technique.

Use the 2 questions in this chapter -- what is a secret dream you had when you were a kid or what are some activities and experiences that fill you with joy, excitement and enthusiasm -- to jumpstart your thinking.

Make sure your questions are designed to expand their minds and get them thinking bigger and bolder.

Big Bold Question #1

Big Bold Question #2

Big Bold Question #3

CHAPTER 4

The Spheres of Influence
Coaching Technique

Sooner or later you're going to have a client come to you and say,
"I'm totally overwhelmed. I don't know what to do!"

The core feeling that drives overwhelm is a sense of helplessness... a loss of control.

The Spheres of Influence technique is incredibly effective process that will quickly empower your client to take back control in any area of their life.

The Spheres technique is simple and effective.

Your client will quickly see there are only 2 areas they need to focus on:

1. The things that are within their control
2. The things they can influence

They need to let go of everything else because it's outside their zone of control and influence.

Too often, clients spend an insane amount of time and energy trying to work through problems, challenges and situations they cannot change.

This is a big reason why overwhelm, stress, and frustration enter the picture.

But with this easy-to-implement and effective coaching technique, you can help them gain insight and understanding on what to walk away from knowing that their time and energy is better spent on the things they can change over the things that are outside their control.

Empty heading

HOW TO USE THIS COACHING TECHNIQUE

Have your client draw 2 circles - a smaller circle within a large one.

Have them label the larger circle "The Things I Can Influence" and the smaller circle "The Things I Can Control."

Now, ask them to label the space outside the circles as "Everything Else."

Next, walk them through the problem or challenge they're struggling with -- the situation that's triggering the feeling of overwhelm.

Get them to think about what needs to go into each circle, the things that are within their control and the things that they can influence, and list these out.

Example:

Let's say your client is anxious, stressed and overwhelmed because her company is downsizing due to an economic downturn. There's a chance your client might lose her job.

You could use the Spheres of Influence technique to empower her and help her reclaim a sense of control.

Have her list the things she can influence and this could be something like "talk to my supervisor to find out what I can do to keep my job."

The next sphere - the things she can control - could be "getting on LinkedIn to look for job opportunities."

Everything Else could include things like "the state of the economy."

The Spheres of Influence coaching technique gives a clear 10,000-foot view of any situation.

It helps overcome overwhelm and provides a sense of perspective as you help clients come up with alternate ideas and solutions.

Practice the Spheres of Influence Technique

Think of situation or challenge that has you feeling overwhelmed, stressed and frustrated.

Then, draw the Spheres of Influence and follow through with the guidelines in this chapter.

When you're done answer the following questions:

1. What are some of the ideas and insights that came up after working with this technique?
2. Can you think of ways to create more clarity for your client as you work with them on this technique?
3. What are some specific life and work situations where the Spheres of Influence technique would come in handy?