What Are Pillars of Life & How Do They Influence Success?

The concept of the pillars of life provides a framework for building a meaningful and successful life journey with (potentially) fewer problems and more achievements. The pillars of life are the foundational areas or aspects of one’s life, each of which plays a critical role in personal development. At The Aerial, BVI, we focus on six life pillars: Mind, Body, Spirit, Relationships, Finances, and Impact. These six pillars make up “Whole Life Success.”

You can think about the “pillars of life” concept as a guidebook for reaching your ultimate human potential. Once you become familiar with each life pillar and start to work on developing it in positive ways, you will be able to live your life more purposefully, pursue your passion with greater focus, and achieve greater success. 

The Six Pillars of Life 

Various philosophers, authors, and experts have narrowed down, in their own words, what it takes to live a life of meaning and purpose. For example, Emily Esfahani Smith, a journalist and inspiring author, breaks down the pillars of life into four fundamental components: Belonging, Purpose, Storytelling, and Transcendence. Smith, after many years of research and interviews with individuals from different backgrounds, says that finding meaning in life is actually the key to living well.

Atour luxury wellness retreat, located in the British Virgin Islands, we define the pillars of life in the following ways:

• Mind: Cultivating mental and psychological health
• Body: Physical health, wellness, and vitality
• Spirit: Purpose and spiritual transcendence
• Relationships: Friendships, romance, and social connections
• Finances: Career, financial management, and developing an abundance mindset
• Impact: Becoming a force for good in the world

Ultimately, while the pillars can be shifted and combined, they all serve the same purpose: to help a person stay healthy and live a more empowered life. You can improve each of your life pillars by incorporating positive, targeted strategies into your everyday routine. 

1. Mind: Cultivating Mental and Psychological Health

Happiness, health, and success all begin in the mind. The way you think influences how you feel and, in turn, how you act. By cultivating mental wellness and psychological strength with the Mind pillar, you create the conditions in which all other life pillars can flow and you can start to move from where you are now to where you want to be. 

To move toward greater mental wellness:

• Fill your mind with positive thoughts.
• Read something every day.
• Spend time in nature.
• Begin a mindfulness or meditation practice.
• Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and lovingkindness in your life.

Our Dream Summit helps you dive deep into mental wellness and move from a place of uncertainty to a place of empowerment where you can start to dream. This summit is ideal for people who are ready to heal their minds and chart out a proactive path to achieving their life goals.

2. Body: Physical Health, Wellness, and Vitality

The Body pillar relates to physical health, including both physical fitness and being free from dis-ease. Both of these goals take commitment and work to accomplish and require the adoption of habits, environments, and diets that support wellness from the inside out.

There are several ways you can start to move toward a place of greater physical wellness:

• Exercise regularly doing something that energizes and inspires you.
• Eat a balanced diet that’s rich in nourishing, locally sourced (preferably organic) foods.
• Optimize your nighttime routine to ensure a deep and refreshing sleep.

Establishing healthy habits doesn’t happen overnight. According to research, it takes an average of 66 days to change a lifestyle habit. To cultivate physical wellness and vitality in your life, you will need to prioritize healthy habits by scheduling them on your timetable and carrying them out consistently. Attending our Elevate Strength Summit is a great way to kickstart a healthier lifestyle so that you’ll have the energy and strength you need to fulfill your dreams.

3. Spirit: Purpose and Spiritual Transcendence

Finding purpose and a personal belief system can look different for everyone. No matter which path you choose, however, feeling a sense of “belonging” and connection to a spiritual force can help a person connect with their inner self and find a renewed sense of purpose and direction. In addition, a spiritual practice can help to foster deep personal growth.

Nurturing the Spirit pillar can take on different forms. For instance, you might choose to read spiritual texts and follow the teachings of ancient wisdom. You can also begin to define your personal goals and interests by journaling and setting intentions for the future. Our Elevate Presence Summit provides the perfect environment in which to reconnect and learn to BE.

4. Relationships: Cultivating Deep Connections

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of who you are and fall into the pit of low self-esteem. But, did you know that self-confidence comes from a solid connection to others as well as to yourself? Friends can provide counsel and support during good times and more challenging times, affirming your worth regardless of your surface success (or lack thereof). 

Strong social connections can also help you advance in your career. When social connections are lacking, you may find it challenging to stay motivated or to find the professional resources you need to achieve your goals. To develop the Relationships pillar, identify the people around you who inspire you and make time to cultivate relationships with these people.

Finding Healing from Separation and Loss

Isolation can happen for several reasons, including a recent separation from a partner, a childhood loss, or a fear of losing someone close to you. Regardless, it’s important to address the cause of any social isolation and take steps to reconnect. A common and effective way to address trauma is to seek counsel from a therapist. 

Another effective way to release fear and gain clarity is to go on a transformation retreat. Our Elevate Love Summit elevates love in your life so that you can attract and keep friends (or romance), and enrich your existing relationships. This deep healing retreat is perfect for anyone who is looking to heal from past relationships and rediscover their capacity to love and be loved.

5. Finances: Financial Stability and Developing an Abundance Mindset

Economic stability allows a person to pursue their life goals and provides a sense of security and peace of mind. When you have confidence in your financial situation, you can make better decisions and set yourself up for new opportunities in your personal life and career. These are areas we explore strategically in our Elevate Abundance Summit.

The following are a few questions you can ask to evaluate your financial health:

• Do I have enough money to cover my basic needs?
• Do I have enough money to engage in hobbies, creative pursuits, or career advancement?
• Do I have enough money saved for my future?
• Do I have enough money to give some away?
• Do I have money to further my mission and purpose?
• Do I feel that I deserve to be paid well for my work?

The Finances pillar works in harmony with the other life pillars. In other words, just because an individual has a lot of monetary wealth doesn’t necessarily mean they are rich in Mind, Body, Spirit, Relationships, and Impact. By the same token, just because a person doesn’t own a vacation home doesn’t mean they are unhappy or live an unbalanced life, especially if they can pay their bills and do things they enjoy. In our experience, nurturing all of the life pillars unlocks the full potential of financial abundance.

6. Impact: Becoming a Force for Good

Optimizing your life pillars ultimately has a greater purpose: to become a force for positive transformation in your family, community, country, and the world. People who are healthy, happy, and financially blessed tend to have a ripple effect on the people around them. Through their example, wisdom, and support, others become inspired and begin to make positive changes too.

When you’re struggling in your own life, it’s hard to look beyond the immediate challenges of day-to-day living. However, once you start to thrive, your vision expands and you’re able to channel some of the abundance of time, energy, and finances you are experiencing in your own life into elevating others and healing the world. Our Dream, Abundance, Presence, Strength, and Love Elevate Summits are all intended to help you heal, focus, and prepare yourself to have a positive Impact.

Nurture All Six Pillars for a Fulfilling and Influential Life

When the six pillars of life are balanced and strong, you can expect to lead a joyful and fulfilling life. That doesn’t mean, however, that your life will always be easy. Rather, it means that you will be able to confront challenges in a healthy way and with a positive mindset. 

Essentially, a multi-pillared approach gives you the opportunity to reflect, learn, ask for help, and begin to create a plan for future goals. By nurturing all of the life pillars, you can build a solid foundation for success to flourish in all areas of your life and also increase your capacity for touching the lives of others in positive and transformative ways.