Gallup has a simple metric to measure an individual’s wellbeing.

There are two questions to evaluate your present and future life.

The scale classifies people as suffering, struggling, or thriving based on the response.

Based on the 2023 State of the Global Workplace, only 31% of employees are thriving at work.

My Perspective

I’ve been thinking about this Gallup research and their scale from struggling to thriving.  

When I think about myself and those I’ve worked with, I might try a bit different scale.

I would explore a midpoint – Sustain – where “life is good”.

You are happy.

Life is sustainable.

You can maintain and support your lifestyle over time.

To the left of sustainable are categories like Gallup’s suffering and struggling.

To the right of sustainable, we have the levels that provide more fulfillment and personal growth.

The five levels would look like this:

  • Struggle – Life has become overwhelming, and we are finding it difficult to get from day to day.
  • Survive – Life is challenging, yet we are handling everything without letting things fall (mostly).
  • Sustainable – You can maintain and support your lifestyle over time.
  • Space – Life has room, and we expand into desired pursuits and opportunities.
  • Soar – Life is full of what makes us fulfilled and happy. We are thriving and making a difference.

This scale provides a framework for a coaching journey.

The goal is to work with a coach to move further to the right.

Small steps over time.

Taking us on journeys.

From survive to sustain

Finding space.

Discovering how we can soar.

Your Turn

What do you think of this scale?

How would you rate your life overall?

Would you rate the 8 dimensions of wellbeing differently?  You can use the chart below to consider.

PhysicalIntellectualSpiritualFinancialEnvironmentalSocialEmotionalOccupational
Soar
Space
Sustainable
Survive
Struggle