Fulfillment

Fulfillment....a very ambigious word. Especially when we're talking about personal fulfillment. What makes one person feel fulfilled cannot be completely the same with whatever makes another person feel fulfilled. Fulfillment can be assessed in many different levels. Some people feel fulfillment with a secure job and a happy family. Some people feels fulfilled when they have traveled the world. Some people feel fulfilled only when they have financial freedom.

As an illustration, let's take a look at three men, Jack, John and Jacob.

Jack is a successful insurance salesman. He's been through a lot during the early years of being an insurance sales man. But today, he earns a very comfortable income without having to slog day in and day out. He's got lots of friends because in the course of his business, he meets with many people. But he doesn't have a home and he feels unfulfilled. Only with a family will he feel complete.

In the meantime, John is a general clerk in a large company. The prospect of ever climbing the ladder is bleak because he's not well-educated. John is married Jane and they have 3 kids together. Although the kids can never dream of going to some of the large Universities known in the country, they can be assured of sound education. Does John feel fulfillment? No, he does not. He wishes he could have more money to afford the things that his kids want and send them to world-class Universities.

In the meantime, Jacob is a freelancer who works from home. He has the money and he's got a fabulously supportive family who would see him through bad times and then celebrate with him during good times. Basically, Jacob can plan his life because time is on his side. But Jacob loves to travel and wishes he could travel the world, with and without his family. Therefore, Jacob is not fulfilled with his life as well.

Look at all of them and let's merge their lives together just for a moment there. Don't you think that with Jack's money, John's family and Jacob's freedom, they will all be happy with their life?

Being fulfilled with one's life is having a sense of purpose and the drive to achieve more without worrying about the daily workings on life. Usually, one will feel fulfilled when there's an overall balance between obligation and enjoyment. Elimination of work, responsibility and obligation will not usually make one feel fulfilled. Generally, people feel fulfillment when there's a goal for them to work towards and they are allowed to feel enthusiastic and energized about it. When one feels fulfilled, they are not stressed out.

More importantly, when people respect you and value your contribution, effort and work, you will feel fulfilled. It's the having an overall feeling of accomplishment, self-respect, respect from others, financial freedom, and love from family that makes one complete. As soon as we have a sense of purpose and a goal to strive for, we'll start feeling more complete and satisfied with our lives.

So, it's time for you to decide what means fulfillment to you. Whether this be money, family or travel, it's up to you to strive for personal and professional fulfillment.