We tend to be focused on the wrong things that we end up neglecting what’s really important to us, which is self-fulfillment. We are too busy chasing the next bright thing, society’s approval, and trying to impress other people who don’t even matter to us.
But the question is, what makes you feel fulfilled? The truth is self-fulfillment does not come from material things, like big mansions or shiny cars.
Fulfillment is about having a positive mindset, a heart full of love, finding genuine happiness, peace of mind, and contentment. That’s why no matter how hard a person chases all the riches in the world, there will always be something lacking in their life.
This thing that’s lacking in many people’s lives is self-fulfillment. In this post, you will discover what self-fulfillment truly is and learn how to achieve it on your own terms.
What Is Self-Fulfillment?
We were taught to have goals since we were little. We were expected to do good at school, go to college, get a job, get married, have kids, be on top of our careers, and be rich.
Self-fulfillment is about achieving one’s goals, desires, and hopes. Being self-fulfilled also comes with self-actualization and self-realization.
There are no one-size-fits-all standards for self-fulfillment. Other people aspire to be rich, while others only hope to find genuine happiness.
Happiness vs. Self-Fulfillment
Can you be happy when you find self-fulfillment? Yes, definitely. But can you be self-fulfilled if you’re happy?
Maybe, maybe not. The two terms are used interchangeably; however, they are not the same. Happiness is more of a temporary state that may go away.
While self-fulfillment is more than just a phase, the feelings last long. Then there’s the serenity you can find within you seem to have not felt before. So does finding self-fulfillment guarantee happy days for the rest of your life?
Not really. There can be days when you find joy and some days when you may feel gloomy.
So what difference does self-fulfillment make?
You’ll find that peace within yourself, that no matter how hard your personal struggles are, you know you’re going to make it, that you can still create happy days, and that everything will get better.
Steps to Achieve Self-Fulfillment
Is the journey to finding self-fulfillment ever easy? Not for all. We live and struggle to survive, put food on the family table, and pay the mortgage. So how can you live a fulfilling life if you keep bumping into hurdles?
Some perceive self-fulfillment as a life without adversity and problems. If this is your understanding of self-fulfillment, then you need to re-evaluate your beliefs.
Reality check: no one has a perfect life. There will be challenges and setbacks along the way. Each personal struggle must not be perceived as a step back. Instead, it should be considered as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve.
Self-fulfillment is an elusive idea to most people because it normally takes a lot of work. Even if you’re successful in life, there may come a time when you find yourself searching for something more. Not something money can buy, a lesson you can learn in a university, or a word in the dictionary that you can fully understand.
Do you want to create more meaningful moments in your life? Do you want to be the best version of yourself? Do you want to find that narrow but satisfying path of being at peace? Search for self-fulfillment and live life at your best by following these steps to achieve self-fulfillment.
1. Figure Out Your Core Values
What are the values you live by? Where do they come from, and why are they important?
Core values are fundamental ideas, beliefs, and practices you follow on how to live your life, how you make decisions, what you value most in the world, and what you cherish in life. Without core values, you’re walking blindly on an unknown path.
As you lead your journey to self-fulfillment, try to find out what your core values are. Your core values are a testimony to the real you. These matter to you the most when it comes to your career and personal life. If you believe in goodness, kindness, and generosity, then they should be your values in finding self-fulfillment.
2. Realize Your Hopes and Ambitions
Allow yourself to realize your hopes and ambitions, not what society expects or what your parents told you. With your core values, you can understand what you hope for the most in life.
Let’s say one of your core values is compassion for others. How then can you feel a sense of fulfillment with this core value?
It’s by helping those who are less fortunate, smiling at a stranger, participating in community service, or helping change other people’s lives for the better. It doesn’t mean quitting your full-time job and volunteering somewhere in Africa. It just means going out of your way to help other people. Only you can realize this, and it is only you who could make it work.
3. Accept Your Mistakes
Accepting yourself is not about wallowing in failure and just admitting defeat. It’s about being accountable for your actions, having the courage to say sorry, and taking responsibility for your mistakes.
Accept that you are not perfect. Maybe you are not the most experienced for the job or the most intelligent person in the room. But at least you’re using the experience as a learning curve and are willing to strive for the better.
The day that you accept your mistakes is a day nearer to being the best version of yourself. Not all people have the guts to admit they are wrong. They tend to blame others, point fingers, and act innocent.
It takes grit and extraordinary courage for a person to accept their mistakes. Are you this type of person? If your answer is yes, then you have what it takes to find self-fulfillment.
4. Always Be Positive
No matter how hard life may seem, no matter how tough the personal struggles you’re going through, nothing beats a positive mindset in achieving self-fulfillment.
A significant part of your happiness is your environment. If there is too much negativity in your surrounding, cut off the toxic people in your life. Do not let negative emotions brought about by your interactions with such people destroy the best part of you.
Always find time to smile, even if your day isn’t going smoothly. Having a positive state of mind attracts positivity in life. Have the positive belief that soon, you’ll find that sense of fulfillment. It will manifest if you stay positive.
On top of that, positivity will always be good for your mental health. Be positive that you will reach your goals no matter how hard your present life is.
5. Celebrate Your Achievements
It’s important to celebrate all of your achievements if you want to find a sense of fulfillment. This will remind you to be grateful for all your successes in life.
Recognizing and celebrating a job well done will make you feel fulfilled. This will convince you to push harder to accomplish more things in life.
Have dinner with friends or a picnic with your family and reward yourself with life’s little pleasures. You’ve worked hard for your achievements, so you deserve a celebration.
You should be your number own one fan, so be proud of your accomplishments no matter how small they are.
6. Visualize Success
Regardless of your sense of fulfillment, be it in your personal or professional life, visualize success to achieve success. You envision a life of self-fulfillment when you visualize your success. Whatever your short-term or long-term goals, you can achieve them much faster when you imagine pursuing them successfully.
Write down your goals on your dream board, journal your desires in your diary, and plan them step by step. Your success will eventually manifest if you affirm it, and self-fulfillment will follow.
7. Deal with Whatever It Is That’s Bothering You
Finding self-fulfillment is hard when you can’t put your affairs in order. This is why you should deal with whatever it is that hinders you from being the best version of yourself.
Are you dealing with depression or a mental health decline? Are you always bothered by your thoughts? Take care of your mental health so you can feel fulfilled. Whatever it is that’s bothering you, talk to a mental health professional to take things off your chest.
Talk to a Therapist to Find Your Sense of Fulfillment
When life seems to get out of order, or you want to start your journey in finding self-fulfillment, a therapist can help you with that. Talk to a therapist at Kentucky Counseling Center (KCC) now. You can schedule an appointment and enjoy the perks of online mental health counseling with just a few clicks away.
If you want to know more about the counseling services at KCC, reach out to us now. We also offer marriage counseling, family therapy, group counseling, and many more.
