1 to 10 Pendulum Scale

How to use this board

Use this scale when you want to gauge the intensity of something of your own: how important a goal is, how heavily a situation weighs on you, how high each item on your to-do list ranks. Start the question with "on a scale of 1 to 10" and say what 10 stands for, so the reading isn't ambiguous.

Before the pendulum answers, pick a number yourself. Then compare. If they match, you may have been clear already. If the pendulum says 3 where you said 8, ask whether you're inflating something out of obligation, or whether deep down it matters less than you think.

The scale also helps you sort. Ask about each task ("1 to 10, how much energy does this ask of me today?") and write the results down: you'll see what to do first and what can wait. As always, the number reflects; it doesn't rule.

The options

What each answer invites you to consider.

1

The lowest number. This takes up very little room in you right now. Does that surprise you? If you felt it should matter more, ask whose expectation that is.

2

A two: present, but far from the center. Maybe this can come off your list without guilt, or be handed to someone else. Notice whether letting it go brings relief.

3

On the low side, though not zero. There's a faint interest in the background. You could give it a small place in your week, no pressure, and see whether it grows or fades.

4

Four, just shy of the middle. It matters enough not to forget, not enough to put first. What would it take for it to climb a couple of points?

5

The midpoint of the scale. It's a comfortable number and sometimes an evasive one: do you truly feel neutral, or would you rather not commit? Ask yourself whether it's really more of a four or a six.

6

A six tips the balance upward. There's motivation, though no urgency. Choose a specific time to give it your attention, and notice how you feel while you do.

7

Seven: this genuinely matters to you. It deserves a visible spot on your calendar. What's keeping it in the background, and could you nudge that aside a little?

8

Eight, very high. If you haven't made room for it yet, something may be holding you back: fear of failing, lack of time, needing permission. Naming it is the first step to moving it.

9

Almost at the top. This calls for priority. Check that you're protecting your rest too: something that matters this much can turn into a burden if it isn't spread out over time.

10

Ten, the maximum. Few things land here, so it's worth honoring. Ask how your week would look if this took the place you just gave it, and what you'd have to set aside.

Frequently asked questions

How do you use a 1 to 10 pendulum scale?

Start your question with "on a scale of 1 to 10" and spell out what 10 means: importance, desire, tiredness. Pick your own number before looking at the result, then compare. The gap between the two is usually the most revealing part.

What's the difference between the 1 to 10 scale and the percentage chart?

They're close cousins. Percentages suit "how much of me agrees"; a 1 to 10 scale feels more natural for intensity or priority, like the rating scales we use every day. Pick whichever is easier for you to feel.

Can I use the scale to prioritize my to-do list?

Yes. Ask about each task with the same wording, log the numbers in My readings, and sort them. It doesn't replace your judgment or real deadlines, but it helps you see what drains your energy and what can wait.

Go deeper

• Questions to ask a pendulum: how to word them, plus 40+ examples · What to ask a pendulum and how to phrase it: one thing, present tense, no double negatives. Over 40 example questions by topic, plus what not to ask.
• Keeping a Pendulum Journal: Record, Reread, Find Patterns · How to keep a pendulum journal: what to record for each reading, how to reread it to spot patterns and emotions, and how to use My readings on Paths.
• Using a Pendulum for Decision Making · How to use a pendulum for decision making without letting it decide for you: pros and cons, your body's reaction, sleeping on it, and what not to ask.