How Well Balanced Is Your Life Wheel (part 2)

In the previous post we posed this question and discussed some of the issues related to your current work situation and your life goals, as part of the Occupational spoke on your life wheel. In addition to looking at the work you are doing, or have been doing, you want to consider whether or not you are using the skills that you most enjoy using. Certainly, many jobs have changed over the last several years, along with the multiple changes in technology. If your job no longer requires the skills you really enjoy using, you may need to determine if there are other situations in which those same skills would still be needed, or if those skills would be used in other occupations. In some instances, the skills may not be much in demand - or at least not in the kinds of jobs in which you could make a decent living. Again, are there ways in which you could still apply those skills, or is it time to read the writing on the wall that those skills are now outdated?

Also, it may be a matter of personality clashes or personal conflicts with your co-worker(s) or supervisor(s) that cause you to be unhappy with your current work situation. If that is your situation, again, I encourage you to consider whether the situation is manageable or whether you need to start preparing for a change. You also need to consider whether your current career goals fit with your life and your plans. If you have not done so, you should visualize some aspects of your work future and determine if your current path will contribute to your achieving your career goals and life plans.

I believe it is important to look at the source(s) of your frustration/unhappiness with the occupational spoke on your life wheel, if that is the case. The topic of your life wheel will be continued in the next post. You also want to be sure that during your working years that you make time for other spokes on your life wheel. Individuals who don't do that tend to have a much more difficult time coping with retirement. For many, that is because without their work, they feel as though there is nothing left in their lives.


Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, planning for retirement, loss of job, coping with an empty nest, preparing to return to work or school, and other life planning issues. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone helping to solve problems related to life transitions. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services.

To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.