Poverty Abolitionist Assessment

INTRODUCTION

The genesis of this tool came from a Learning & Action Group studying Poverty, By America. The prospect of approaching such a monumental challenge like abolishing poverty is overwhelming, but a tool some call the Wheel of Life, used by life and career coaches for all sorts of life category assessments, is helpful as a launching point..

The basic idea of the Wheel of Life tool is that you self-assess your health, functionality, or happiness in however many categories you choose. Each category is a spoke in the wheel, and the better rating you give an area, the more that area is filled with color. When you are finished with the rating process, you have a visual overview of the areas in your life where you are doing well, and the ones where you are not doing so well. From there you are meant to develop clear goals and action steps to shore up the areas that are weak.

This tool works the same, but instead of assessing and addressing areas of your life that need improvement, you are examining how robust, intentional, and effectively different areas of your life, awareness, spending, influence, etc. are helping to eradicate poverty.

INSTRUCTIONS

To complete this assessment, carefully read through each category below (e.g., Community Service, Charitable Giving, etc.), and evaluate yourself on a scale of 1-5 to see how effective, active, or aware you are in that category. After finishing all 10 categories, click on the “Calculate My Matrix” button to see a visual representation of your answers.

That's when the work actually begins. Examine each category, read through the recommendations, and begin making life changes to address areas of weakness. Seek out books or online resources, talk with other poverty abolitionists, and see what practical goals and the steps to achieve them you need to set. After a significant season of time, probably at least a year, retake the assessment to see what progress you have made, and what area(s) comes next.

Do not do this alone. This practice, this lifestyle commitment, this approach to life works only in community. The very nature and purpose of abolishing poverty is for the shalom of all. It was never about you. Also, be kind to yourself. We all have blind spots. We all have strengths. Work together to help one another. Be generous in resources. Be honest in failure. Be brave in asking for help. Finally, celebrate the wins. Even a modest improvement is progress. Don't give up!