Are You Thriving, Struggling, or Suffering? The Five Elements of Wellbeing
Discover how Gallup's Net Thriving principles and the five elements of wellbeing can help you lead a more fulfilling life. Which element is foundational to overall thriving?
In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing our wellbeing is essential for unlocking our full potential and living a fulfilling life. Through its Net Thriving principles and components, Gallup's research provides valuable insights into what makes a thriving life.
Gallup's Net Thriving Principles and Components
Gallup Net Thriving measures life satisfaction by asking individuals to rate their current and future life on a ladder scale from 0 to 10. This assessment helps identify whether individuals are thriving, struggling, or suffering based on their present and anticipated future wellbeing.
The concept of Gallup Net Thriving is built on two key questions:
Imagine a ladder with ten rungs, where the top represents the best possible life (10), and the bottom represents the worst possible life for you (0). On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time? (0-10)
Which step do you think you will stand about five years from now? (0-10)
Based on the responses, individuals can be categorized as:
Thriving: Strong, consistent, and progressing wellbeing in a particular element. These individuals have positive views of their present life and future, rating their present life situation as 7 or higher and their future life as 8 or higher.
Struggling: Wellbeing that is moderate or inconsistent in a particular element. These individuals struggle in their present life and have uncertain or negative views about their future, with ratings between thriving and suffering.
Suffering: Wellbeing that is low and high risk in a particular element. These individuals report miserable lives and negative views of the next five years, rating both their present life and future life 4 or below.
Five Elements of Wellbeing
Gallup has identified five key elements that are the building blocks of a thriving life:
Physical Wellbeing: This encompasses our physical health, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, and overall energy levels. Prioritizing physical wellbeing gives us the energy and vitality to navigate the challenges of daily life and pursue our passions. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are fundamental to maintaining physical health.
Community Wellbeing: This focuses on our connection to and community involvement. Feeling a sense of belonging and contributing to something larger than ourselves provides a more profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Engaging in community activities, volunteering, and building strong relationships within our community can enhance our sense of belonging and purpose.
Financial Wellbeing: This encompasses our financial security, including managing our finances effectively, saving for the future, and reducing financial stress. Financial wellbeing provides peace of mind and allows us to make choices that align with our values and goals. Effective financial planning, budgeting, and saving are crucial for achieving financial stability and reducing stress.
Social Wellbeing: This emphasizes the importance of meaningful relationships and social connections within and outside of work. Strong social connections provide support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Building and maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can significantly enhance our social wellbeing.
Career Wellbeing: This focuses on our professional satisfaction, including enjoying our work, utilizing our strengths, and experiencing professional growth and development. A fulfilling career provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment and contributes to our overall sense of self-worth. Finding meaning and purpose in our work, setting career goals, and seeking opportunities for growth and development are essential for career wellbeing.
Career Wellbeing: The Cornerstone of a Thriving Life
Gallup's research highlights that career wellbeing is the most foundational element for overall wellbeing. When individuals find meaning and purpose in their work, it positively impacts all other aspects of their lives. A fulfilling career contributes to financial stability, a positive work-life balance, and a sense of accomplishment. It also fosters personal growth and development, enhancing our overall well-being.
Career wellbeing is not just about having a job; it's about finding work that aligns with our strengths, passions, and values. Engaging and satisfied with our work can lead to increased productivity, better performance, and a greater sense of fulfillment. A positive work environment supporting employee growth and development can further enhance career wellbeing.
Further Exploration
As we continue to explore the multifaceted nature of wellbeing, several important questions arise:
What is the current state of wellbeing in the world?
Why isn’t emotional wellbeing one of the five elements?
Where does spiritual wellbeing fit?
What impact does spiritual wellbeing have in the workplace?
We’ll explore these questions in a future post. For now, consider these questions:
What is your net thriving score?
What elements of wellbeing can you focus on?
How is your career wellbeing?
Gallup, Gallup Net Thriving, and Wellbeing Elements are copyright of Gallup.