Much of what we think will improve our well-being is either misguided or just plain wrong.

Contrary to what many people believe, well-being is not just about being happy. Nor is it only about being wealthy or successful. And it is certainly not limited to physical health and wellness. In fact, focusing on any of these elements in isolation may drive us to frustration and even a sense of failure.

When striving to improve our lives, we are quick to buy into programmes that promise to help us make money, lose weight or strengthen our relationships. While it might be easier to treat these critical areas in our lives as if they operate independently, they do not. Gallup's comprehensive study of people in more than 150 countries revealed five universal, interconnected elements that shape our lives.

The Five Essential Elements

• Career Well-being
• Social Well-being
• Financial Well-being
• Physical Well-being
• Community Well-being

Well-Being: The Five Essential Elements will provide you with a holistic view of what contributes to your well-being over a lifetime. Written in a conversational style by authors Tom Rath and Jim Harter, Ph.D., this book is filled with fascinating research and novel ideas for boosting your well-being in each of these five areas.

By the time you finish reading this book, you should have a better understanding of what makes life worthwhile. This will enable you to enjoy each day and get more out of your life – and perhaps most importantly, boost the well-being of your friends, family members, colleagues and others in your community.