Four Pillar Friday

Four Pillar Friday
Your weekly guide to thriving in every aspect of life—Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Financial Wellness.

This Week’s Quote:
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” — Will Rogers

Physical Wellness

What can 10 seconds tell you…well perhaps a lot.

A 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that adults aged 51 to 75 who couldn’t balance on one leg for 10 seconds had an 84% higher risk of premature death over the following seven years. While the research only shows an association—not causation—it’s a powerful reminder: balance matters.

Balance reflects more than just stability—it’s a window into our neurological health, muscular strength, and coordination. And the good news? It’s trainable.

Try the test: Stand near a counter for safety, lift one foot and rest it on the opposite calf, keeping your arms at your sides. Hold for 10 seconds. Then switch legs. Practice daily and track your progress.

Want to improve? Start with these simple exercises:

• Single-leg stands: Stand on one foot while brushing your teeth or waiting in line.
• Heel-to-toe walk: Walk in a straight line, placing your heel directly in front of your toe.
• Balance reach: Stand on one leg and reach forward or to the side with the opposite arm.
• Yoga: Gentle, purposeful movement improves balance, coordination, and focus.

Balance is easy to overlook—until it’s gone. Investing just a few minutes each day in building it can pay dividends in both safety and longevity.

Mental Wellness

How are you doing?

If that isn’t a question you have asked lately then this might be a good opportunity to just check in. The Flourishing Scale is a brief 8-question assessment that offers insight into your overall well-being—from purpose and relationships to optimism and self-esteem. It’s a powerful tool to pause and reflect on what’s going well and where there may be room for growth. Unlike traditional mental health screens that focus on what’s wrong, this one shines a light on your capacity to thrive. Take a few minutes this week to check in with yourself—it might reveal more than you expect.

Click here to give it a try.

Financial Wellness

Wellbeing can be a performance strategy. LeBron James reportedly invests $1.5 million a year into his health—trainers, chefs, recovery, mindset—all to extend his performance window and stay at the top of his game well into his late 30s. It’s not just discipline; it’s a long-term strategy. And this chart from Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre tells a similar story at the business level: companies that prioritize wellbeing consistently outperform those that don’t. From 2021 to 2024, firms with high workplace wellbeing saw stronger market returns, proving that investing in wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s smart financial planning. Whether you’re managing a team, a portfolio, or your own life, wellbeing is the asset that fuels everything else. Just like LeBron, the best returns come when we treat our health and wellness as non-negotiables.

Spiritual Wellness

In her work as a palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware uncovered the most common regrets of the dying—and unsurprisingly, none of them were about working more, closing more deals, or attending more meetings. The top regrets centered around authenticity, connection, joy, and presence. Most of us won’t look back and wish we’d spent more time at the office. So pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• Am I living true to what matters most to me?
• Have I told the people I love how I truly feel?
• What simple joys am I postponing for “someday”?
• If today were my last, how would I spend it differently?

Small questions can lead to big clarity—and ultimately, fewer regrets.

Stay Connected:
What steps—big or small—are you taking in physical, mental, financial, and spiritual wellness? Maybe you pushed your limits in a workout, made a mindful financial choice, or found time for reflection.

We’d love to hear how you’re integrating Physical, Mental, Financial, and Spiritual Wellness into your week. Drop a comment, message us, or tag us—because growth happens when we show up and share the journey. And if this resonates with you, share it with someone who might find it meaningful.

Here’s to Living Richly,
The Journey Team