Soul Business, Dr. James S. Vuocolo, Life-Coach Consulting

* This Assessment tool was adapted from T.H.Holmes and R.H.Rahe, "The Social Adjustment Rating Scales," Journal of Psychosomatic Research 11 (1967), pp. 213-218 (c. 1967, Pergamon Press, Ltd.). The LCU's have been changed, and 12 items have been added to their original list of 43 items; I also added the "Rating Scale" data to adapt it for professional coaching purposes. Copyright 1996 by James S. Vuocolo. All rights reserved.

An old adage asserts: "Change is the only thing that stays the same." Consequently, people are virtually always "in transition". To put it another way, we are "always becoming". There are, however, special times and circumstances along life's journey
when it can be especially helpful to gain the assistance of a professional Coach, mentor, therapist, or clergy-person; times when the assistance of neighbors, spouses, and friends alone will not suffice. Such transitional times are aptly termed, "life crisis-situations" -
and, of course, we all have them!

LIFE-TRANSITION SCALE:

The following Life-Transition Scale can be used to rate yourself for any single calendar year (i.e. any 12-month period). Each particular Life-Event is given a particular number of Life-Transition Points (LTP's) indicating the amount of stress and/or energy level it takes to for the "average adult" to cope in that type of situation (Please remember that "average" is a relative term - and that people vary individually in their ability to cope
with a particular life-situation).

Simply circle the number of each item below (#1 thru #56) that describes your own life-situations for the previous 12 months. Then add the total number of Life-Transition Points (LTP's) for each item you have circled. Compare this
total with the range and description in the "Scoring" section at the end. We sincerely wish you every success along life's journey!

Item #:	LTP's:	LIFE-EVENT DESCRIPTION:
1.	100	Death of Spouse/Child
2.	75	Divorce/Terminating Life-Partner Relationship
3.	75	Being a Personal Victim of Violent Crime
4.	73	Loss of Home/Possessions due to natural disaster
5.	68	Loss of Mobility due to health, loss of license, etc.
6.	65	Being involved in a major auto accident
7.	65	Death of Close Family Member/Friend
8.	63	Incarceration in Jail or Other Institution
9.	60	Having an Extra Marital/Relational Affair
10.	60	Marital Separation from Mate/Life-Partner
11.	55	Major Personal illness/injury
12.	55	Being a Personal Victim of Non-Violent Crime
13.	55	Facing Major Medical/Surgical Procedure
14.	55	Facing a Major Tax Audit
15.	52	Getting Married
16.	52	Being Fired/Laid-Off at Work
17.	48	Marital Reconciliation with Mate
18.	48	Retirement from Work
19.	45	Being involved in a minor auto accident
20.	45	Major change in Health/Behavior of a close family member
21.	45	Joining the Armed Forces
22.	42	Starting Your Own Full-Time Business at Home
23.	40	Pregnancy (1st time, add 5 points)
24.	40	Sexual Difficulties
25.	40	New Family Member added via birth or adoption; or when Older child or Senior relation moves in)
26.	40	Major Business Change (e.g. a merger, reorganization, bankruptcy, etc.)
27.	40	Major Change in Personal Financial State, e.g. a lot worse or better than usual
28.	40	Death/Loss of a Close Friend
29.	39	Changing entire Career Path
30.	33	Major shift in the number of arguments with spouse (e.g. either a lot more or a lot less than usual re: child-rearing, personal habits, etc.)
31.	33	Assuming a Mortgage or Loan greater than $15,000 for a home, business, college, etc.
32.	33	Foreclosure on Mortgage or Loan
33.	30	Son or Daughter leaving home (1st time, add 3 pts.) e.g. getting married, attending college, etc.
34.	30	Trouble with In-laws
35.	29	Change of Job (same career path)
36.	28	Recognition of Personal/Civic Achievement
37.	28	Spouse beginning or ending work outside the home
38.	28	Beginning or Ending Higher Education
39.	27	Major Change in Responsibilities at Work (e.g. promotion, demotion, lateral transfer, etc.)
40.	25	Major Change in Living Conditions/Residence (e.g. new home, major remodeling, decay of home or neighborhood)
41.	25	Revision in Personal Habits (dress, manners, associations, etc.)
42.	25	Conflicts with Boss (or Superiors) at Work
43.	25	Starting Your Own Part-Time Business at Home
44.	20	Major Shift in Working Hours or Conditions
45.	20	Attending a New School
46.	20	Major Change in amount or type of recreation
47.	20	Major Change in Church, Religious or Spiritual Activities (e.g. more or less than usual)
48.	20	Major Change in Social Activities (e.g. clubs, dancing, visiting, movies)
49.	18	Mortgage or Loan under $15,000 (e.g. new car, appliances, TV set, etc.)
50.	17	Major Change in Sleeping Habits (more or less; or asleep different part of day)
51.	17	Major Change in number of Family Gatherings (a lot more or less than usual)
52.	17	Serving on Jury Duty
53.	15	Major Change in Eating Habits (a lot more or less food intake; or very different meal hours and/or surroundings)
54.	14	Vacation
55.	14	Christmas (or other major holiday)
56.	12	Minor Violations of the Law (e.g. speeding ticket, etc.)
DATE:	TOTALS:	(see Scoring Key below to determine if you are in Mild, Moderate, or Major Life-Transition ...

SCORE THE LIFE-TRANSITION SCALE AS FOLLOWS IN ANY 12-MONTH PERIOD AS FOLLOWS:

MILD: 150 to 225
150 to 225 LTP's indicates "A Mild State of Transition."
You probably will not feel much need for assistance at this level. You know
you "have a few problems to work out" - but noting that is going to interrupt
your daily routine.

MODERATE: 226 to 340
226 to 340 LTP's indicates a "Moderate State of Transition."
At this stage you are most likely losing your concentration at work/school.
You are probably experiencing sleeplessness at night and some noticeable irritability during the day. Life is "a chore", and something is "just not right". This is a great time to obtain the help of a trained professional!

MAJOR: 341 & Above
341 LTP's and above indicates a "Major State of Transition."
It may surprise some people to learn that even a few of the so-called "joyous
events" in life can often produce as much stress and creative energy-drain as
the changes associated with more major life-crisis events. The assistance of a
professional is clearly advised at this level.

For additional information, or to schedule a personal and confidential telephone consultation without cost or obligation, please contact:

LIFE-COACH CONSULTING
Dr. James S. Vuocolo, Life-Coach
Phone: (909) 794-2136
Fax: (909) 494-4053
1227 Via Florence Street
Redlands, California 92374-3990
E-Mail: jim@SoulBusiness.com