What is Wellbeing?
Wellbeing is not about being happy, wealthy or beautiful. Wellbeing is not about just one piece of who you are—you are more valuable than that. Wellbeing is a combination of our physical self, our financial security, loving what we do each day, the quality of our relationships and contributing to our communities. Wellbeing is about a mindful, purposeful life. And it looks different for every person.
There can be many definitions of the components of wellbeing, but all seek to describe the various elements that encompass who we are and what we pursue. In a comprehensive Gallup study of people in more than 150 countries, researchers identified five universal, interconnected elements that shape our lives: physical wellbeing, financial wellbeing, career wellbeing, social wellbeing and community wellbeing.
Do you have the strength and energy to live your life the way you want?
Physical wellbeing encompasses strength and stability, form and function. It can be 10 minutes of walking, 20 minutes of yoga or hard-hitting Spin classes. Regardless, the goal of physical wellbeing is the same—to empower you to be stronger, healthier and more energized for what you love.
Do you feel financially secure?
Financial wellbeing is more than your income, it is how comfortable you are with your money short- and long-term. It is about knowing your financial position and being comfortable with—or creating—your plan. Financial wellbeing is about effectively managing your economic life.
Do you love what you do?
Career wellbeing is about how you occupy your time—do you experience a sense of satisfaction in your profession? According to Lags and leads in life satisfaction: A test of the baseline hypothesis, people with high career wellbeing are more than twice as likely to be thriving in their lives overall.
From Gallup: “You don’t need to earn a paycheck to have thriving Career Well-Being. But you do need to find something that you enjoy doing—and have an opportunity to do it every day. Whether that means working in an office, volunteering, raising your children or starting your own business, what matters most is being engaged in the career or occupation you choose.”
Do you have strong connections to others?
Social wellbeing focuses on your relationships and how you connect with others. When we have positive relationships, we are happier, healthier and more productive. Developing deep roots in our relationships requires an investment of time and energy, but it’s the most important investment we can make. Social wellbeing is about making time and engaging with your support system and those you respect.
Do you feel a sense of pride or belonging in your community?
Community wellbeing is concerned with your relationships to the greater public. There is great emphasis on volunteerism and altruism.
From Is Altruism Good for the Altruistic Giver?: “Altruism promotes deeper positive social integration, distraction from self-preoccupation, enhanced meaning and purpose, a more active lifestyle and the presence of positive emotions such as kindness that displace harmful negative emotional states. Thus, it is entirely possible to assert that altruism enhances mental and physical health.”
The Meeting and Event Industry is Stressful!
For meeting and event professionals, wellbeing is often a neglected chore amongst the plethora of work that must be done. Indeed, Event Coordinator is listed as the sixth-most-stressful career in 2019 (CareerCast). According to the survey posted in the May issue of The Meeting Professional, “42 percent of respondents reported feeling stressed” And it is no wonder! Tight budgets, constant travel, looming deadlines, emerging technology, attention to Every. Little. Detail. In short, the work in this industry is HARD. While everybody gets stressed—it is a natural, biological function that can produce great things—we need to recognize that its OK to be overwhelmed and its OK to take care of one’s wellbeing.
MPI Supports Your Wellbeing
Meetings Professional International (MPI) has long been focused on supporting our members. As the largest association for the meeting and event industry, we produce and assemble resources that advance you personally and professionally. Advance in your career through on-demand education focused on your wellbeing, such as Take Care of Yourself and Your Health - without Adding to Your Busy to Do List.
Explore new opportunities through MPI’s Career Center, with jobs specific for our industry. Strengthen your social wellbeing by connecting with your colleagues globally with the MYMPI Online forum or locally with your chapter. Find fellowship with like-minded peers with MPI Community.
Focus on community wellbeing and advance the industry through amazing volunteer opportunities. And make sure to focus on your personal physical, emotional, and financial health and explore resources available to you at www.mpi.org/tools/wellbeing/. When we meet our wellbeing needs, we change the world.
