What is important to you? Do you want success, or do you want fulfillment. My bet, you want both. Are they one in the same though? Many people believe that when they are finally successful they will feel that awe inspiring sense of fulfillment. Once they get there though, they feel fulfilled for a short amount of time, and then they are back to where they started, but with a bit more money. Remember the saying, ‘Money can’t buy happiness’? This saying now has an extension, ‘but it sure helps’. Sure we feel great when we are not restricted by our finances, but this does not mean we will feel fulfilled.
Let’s now define each:
What is success? Success has been defined as ‘the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like’. Another definition is ‘a successful performance or achievement’.
Can success be measured? Success is measured by setting predetermined goals and accomplishing them. For example: ‘I will be successful when I have made my first million dollars’, or ‘I will be successful if I come in the top three in the race’, or even ‘our play will be successful if we get a standing ovation’. These are all measurable targets that can be compared year by year as we target our goals.
What is fulfillment? Fulfillment can be defined as ‘to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.)’
Can fulfillment be measured? The answer is ‘not really’. It is an emotion. Generally, it is extremely difficult to measure emotions as a level of success. When you are asking yourself, “do I feel fulfilled?” There is usually a simple yes or no answer. This can change quite drastically with a change of situation.
A lot of people think that success will change their world. They will finally be able to do whatever they want and fulfillment is just a given. “Of course I will be fulfilled when I’m successful”. But this is definitely not the case. Steve Siebold mentions that when he questioned the top 500 fortune 500 executives only 12 of them said they were fulfilled! Only 12!
In order to feel fulfilled we need to learn how to change our mindset in our current circumstances. We need to look for fulfillment in things of value. Money will come and go, but it is the value of relationships that is a more healthy reflection of how fulfilled we are. The relationships we have with friends and family, and especially husband and wife need to be nurtured and invested in. If you and your spouse have a healthy relationship that will have a positive impact on your children and as a family you will be fulfilled. It does not matter how successful you are. But! And I have a big but here, now that you are fulfilled don’t stop. Keep investing in those relationships.
Success should never be forgotten, we all want to be successful. But becoming fulfilled in your current circumstances will definitely give a foundation for whatever lies ahead. More often than not it is the support of family and loved ones that propels success. Those relationships are the difference between putting jet fuel in your engine, or low grade gasoline!
Once you have fulfillment and success life will have no restrictions on you!
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