Being fulfilled and satisfied is something people talk about all the time. But what exactly is fulfillment and how do we get to that state?
Fulfillment is a concept that goes beyond simply momentary happiness. It involves a deep satisfaction derived from living in alignment with one's values, passions, and personal goals. It's about experiencing a sense of purpose and contentment across different domains of your life.
While people consistently discuss fulfillment as one of the keys to happiness and enjoying life, it seems rare that anyone delves into what fulfillment actually is and how we achieve it.
To understand fulfillment, we first need to know where it starts. Fulfillment is born from a dream or desire. This can come from any area of your life, be it your career, a hobby, or even putting on a birthday party for your nine-year-old.
It is the art of envisioning an outcome of what you want in life and what’s important to you. Imagination is key.
Unfortunately, many people have actually trained themselves out of the ability to dream. Always focusing on the tasks you have to do can be helpful to complete your work, but not taking any time to think and dream about what it is that you want from your life can cause you to lose touch with your goals.
If you find it hard to envision an outcome, or dream of what your ideal life would look like, resignation may be a stronger neural pathway in your mind than imagination is.
When new ideas for fulfillment come your way, is your first response to list off the reasons why it can’t happen?
If this is the case and you are not intentionally creating how your life will go, then you are most likely leaving your life to the effects of circumstantial living. When resignation functions as a blocker to imagination, you may find yourself stuck.
A resigned life is definitely not a fulfilled life. If you feel this might apply to you, then now is the time to get back on track.
Some Ways to Increase Fulfillment
1. Opening up Your Creativity and Imagination – This is required to achieve fulfillment. Whether through art, writing, or innovative problem-solving, embracing creativity fosters a sense of exploration and self-expression, allowing you to discover new facets of your identity and train your brain to imagine and dream.
2. Enjoying Your Job - While not everyone may have the luxury of turning a passion into a profession, finding joy in your work is pivotal. This might involve identifying aspects of your job that bring satisfaction, seeking growth opportunities, or exploring a career that aligns more closely with your passions.
3. Creating a Calling, Purpose, or Noble Cause - Cultivating a sense of purpose is a transformative step toward fulfillment. Whether it's a personal calling or a commitment to a noble cause, having a higher mission provides direction and a deeper meaning to your actions.
4. Identifying Your Core Values - Knowing and living in alignment with your core values is essential for fulfillment. Reflecting on what truly matters to you and incorporating these values into your daily life brings authenticity and a sense of fulfillment.
5. Hire a Coach - Seeking guidance from a coach can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. A coach can provide insights, help set meaningful goals, and offer support as you navigate your journey toward fulfillment.
6. Put Yourself on a Journey with No Technology - Disconnecting from technology allows you to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. Whether it's a nature retreat or a solo adventure, immersing yourself in the present moment without the distractions of technology can bring clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
Fulfillment starts with imagination. From there, the possibilities are endless.
One Problem
While there are a multitude of ways to increase fulfillment, there can be challenges along the way. A common obstacle towards fulfillment is people not understanding what they want. Living life by accident and going where the wind takes you with no destination in mind is a detriment to achieving fulfillment.
However, just because you’re not quite sure yet where you want to go or what you want to do, doesn’t mean you should stop trying to move forward. Perhaps you know the experience or feeling you’d like to have consistently in your life, which can point you in the direction of what you want.
If you don’t even have that, then it’s time to start trying new things. Don’t twiddle your thumbs. Even finding out what you don’t like can start to create directions towards what you do like.
Ask yourself –
When does time stop? – What gets you so excited and engaged that you don’t even notice time? What are you passionate about?
What’s a place you were in where you were completely present? - Where do you feel focused and at peace?
Experiment. Take note of what brings you joy and what gets you up in the morning. Once you start to figure out what it feels like to be fulfilled, you can start to look for the things that foster that feeling.
In the journey toward fulfillment, you’ll find that it's not a final destination but a continuous, evolving process. By aligning with personal values, setting meaningful goals, and using your imagination, you can cultivate a life rich in purpose and joy. Ultimately, fulfillment is an ongoing quest, and embracing the journey itself becomes a source of profound satisfaction.
Happy Dreaming,
The KeenAlignment Team
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