Improving the well-being of our clients through the decisions we make together is one of the driving forces behind everything we do at TCI. Yet, well-being is a deeply personal concept that is uniquely individual. Gallup, a leading research and consulting organization, came up with five pillars to well-being:
- Career well-being
- Community well-being
- Financial well-being
- Physical well-being
- Social well-being
These are not the only components to an individual’s well-being, but through their research they discovered that:
“While 66% of people are doing well in at least one of these areas, just 7% are thriving in all five. If we’re struggling in any one of these domains, as most of us are, it damages our well-being and wears on our daily life. When we strengthen our well-being in any of these areas, we will have better days, months, and decades. But we’re not getting the most out of our lives unless we’re living effectively in all five.”
Why bring this up now? Well, the new year is already one month old, and resolutions may already feel like a distant memory. Rather than focusing on lofty goals or sweeping changes, TCI believes in making sustainable adjustments to improve the odds of success. So, when it comes to improving our well-being, we would rather hit singles and doubles instead of steadily swinging for home runs. This is the same approach we take with our investment philosophy.
In the spirit of well-being, we’ve asked some of our Advisors to share what brings them well-being, as it relates to Gallup’s five pillars. Here’s what they had to share.
Career Well-Being
My husband jokes that if I won the lottery, I would still be an Advisor at TCI. The satisfaction I get sharing TCI’s approach to finance, whether with clients or in casual conversation, increases the well-being of my career daily. I recently had three separate conversations about finance with my aunt, dad, and cousin. None of them are clients, but just having the opportunity to share something I love and am passionate about brings me a lot of joy. I love coming to work every day and helping clients navigate their financial decisions, it genuinely makes me a happier person.
Community Well-Being
By Kristofer Lyons, CFP®, CWS®, ChFC®
Community is essential to my well-being. For me, it’s about more than simply where I live; it’s about feeling connected to family, making lasting memories with friends, and supporting local organizations that drive positive change. These elements create strong, interconnected communities that foster a sense of belonging and purpose. Personally, I find a deep sense of well-being in the connectedness that community brings. I also believe community ties into the other pillars of well-being. Thriving communities rely on career opportunities, financial stability, a physically healthy population, and strong social connections to truly flourish.
Financial Well-Being
At TCI, we often say that having an Advisor and sticking to a plan is essential to well-being, and I can personally attest to that. With two kids, a wife, and a cat, life is already unpredictable enough, I prefer stability when it comes to my financial plan. Even with a career in financial services and all the knowledge that comes with it, I still rely on the guidance of an Advisor to help my family and me achieve our goals. Sometimes, knowing too much can make it harder to stay objective. I’ve seen people build significant wealth quickly, only to lose it just as fast by making emotionally charged decisions. Having a plan and sticking to it allows me to maintain financial well-being, giving me the freedom to focus on all the other unpredictable parts of life.
Physical Well Being
To maximize my physical well-being, I treat it like my retirement plan, an investment in my future. By focusing on my health today, I aim to build a strong foundation for physical ability later in life. I see physical well-being as a balance of indoor and outdoor activities that nurture both my body and mind. There’s no shortcut to achieving it either. I know in order to feel fulfilled, I have to show up and put in the work. External motivators help, but it all starts from within. This isn’t about “no pain, no gain,” either. I prioritize balance too, and that’s usually in the form of a cold plunge or nourishing treat.
Social Well-Being
I am an extroverted person who thrives on being social. Being surrounded by others is a vital part of how I experience life and a key ingredient in my overall well-being. Whether it’s a best friend or my wife, companionship is both fulfilling and nourishing for me. These connections give me what I need to be myself. I believe this innate need for human interaction is also why I enjoy being an Advisor so much, each day brings new opportunities to connect deeply with people.
Having well-being in your life isn’t about grand gestures or trying to attain the unattainable, it’s about taking manageable steps that align with your values and goals. At TCI, we believe that Gallup has the right idea about achieving well-being, but we know there is no one way to achieve it. We use these pillars as a guiding light while supporting our clients in finding their own sense of balance across their careers, communities, finances, physical and social well-being. By embracing these pillars, we believe individuals are more likely to achieve a sense of overall well-being. As we move through the year, let’s prioritize what truly matters taking each step with intention and poise.
