Adopting a Fulfillment Mindset

"When you feel fulfilled, your world expands rather than constricts." – Marshall Goldsmith

Fulfillment has a few different meanings associated with it. Many people often think of inventory, logistics, and order fulfillment. Did the right thing go to the right place at the right time, and was everyone happy?

One of the other meanings that come to mind is far more challenging. It is a nebulously defined feeling of being satiated. The dictionary is the best place to start when something is hard to explain.

Merriam-Webster's definitions include execution, measure up, bring satisfaction, meet the requirements, or make complete. A few of my favorite definitions are "to develop the full potentialities of" and "convert into reality."

But I still don't think these definitions seem to do the feeling of being fulfilled justice.

I would propose the following definition for fulfillment: a deep inner sense of satisfaction that comes from being connected, having personal meaning in your life, and becoming complete.

One of the most important things I have learned is that we will never find fulfillment outside of ourselves because the essence of true fulfillment only exists inside. Understanding this allowed me to see that fulfillment always starts with me and how I choose to feel about anything. Sure, there are still things I desire, but that doesn't mean I am not fulfilled at this very moment. Getting what I want isn't fulfillment. Fulfillment is being happy with what I have because I have created the life I want.

I realized that at the core of every message I have sent out over the past few years is about seeking fulfillment. I have found that seeking fulfillment is so much more profound than the pursuit of happiness and even better than chasing success.

Happiness and success, by nature, are fleeting and short-lived. Fulfillment, on the other hand, is more of a mindset. It's a worldview you cultivate. It sticks with you, and as it grows, it gets reflected back by the world around you.

However, the pursuit of fulfillment is where people begin to find stumbling blocks, mainly because our cultures, families, or friends tell us that our life should look a certain way. However, many of us notice we feel ill at ease, or that something is missing in our daily lives. Maybe we feel caught in a rat race or that what we are doing in our careers lacks meaning or impact.

Personally, helping people find their own definitions of what makes their lives feel fulfilling is my passion and brings me a sense of my own fulfillment. What could it look like to be a leader that operates from this mindset? Or to build a company that operates from the idea that every member of the organization shows up to work complete and is eager to contribute?

When you work from a fulfillment mindset, you drop the tension in your communication with others and create space to create, explore and celebrate life. When a leader operates from a sense of fulfillment, achieving goals becomes more effortless and even more rewarding. When an organization operates from a fulfillment culture, every member feels seen, heard, and supported to share their brilliance and encouraged to reach their full potential.

One of the most important stepping stones to adopting a fulfillment mindset is having a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Of course, things will break down, and opportunities will come and go, but you can still be fulfilled because you know who you are and how you show up.

So, what do you think? Is this sense of fulfillment where you want to live? Wouldn't it be amazing to feel this inside of yourself and help create that in the lives of those around you?

It's been said that it takes 30 days for new neural pathways to form. In a month's time, we can begin to train our brains to see the world differently and develop new habits in line with this new vision. I'm going to start an active practice of choosing to feel fulfilled every day for the next thirty days, and I would love to challenge you to come along with me on this challenge.

If you would like to join me, shoot me a note. I would love to hear about your journey!