Finding Fulfillment
Often clients come seeking ways to achieve a more fulfilling life. I believe we need to understand that this quest is healthy and a part of our human desire for change and improvement. Perhaps the best way to search for meaning is to look within for insights and then to take action based on those insights.
Start by asking and understanding who you are from the inside. Leave out the roles—we all know those. After you set aside your personal and business roles what is left?
Next, how would you like to be in the world? Are you sharing your inner values in the way you want? Are you analytical but need to have more creative outlets? When you are not being mother, sister, partner, businesswoman, friend, who are you? How do you want to show who you are and what you value?
What do you do? What energizes and gives you a sense of meaning? When you look at the difference between who you are and what you do you will probably gain insight into why you do not feel fully satisfied. The questions seem so simple, but as we all know they can be very difficult to understand and to act upon.
Let’s look at some tools which can be of help:
Write your thoughts in a journal or notebook. Limit your writing time to ten to fifteen minutes, but keep writing until the time is up. Once you have completed your task look carefully at what came out.
Keep a picture file of images which catch your eye and attention. Don’t worry about why, just respond to the images and keep them on file. After you have done this for several weeks sort the pictures into themes. What do the themes tell you?
Talk, exploring these topics with someone you trust. Friends, family members, partners can be helpful, as can coaches. You need people who have no agenda for what they think you should do. Then be open with them.
Begin a path of change. Gather information about your alternatives, make choices based on the information you have and begin to take action. Explore the requirements or consequences of each choice or action you consider.
Once you have made your choices, plan steps which will move you toward your vision. Think about the milestones you want to achieve, the barriers to achievement, and the resources and support you can draw on.
When you unflinchingly and honestly look at who you are without all the trappings, you will begin to envision the steps to a more fulfilling life. You will then find ways to take action using the support and resources you have drawn together. It is true that there is no one size fits all recipe for growth, but the inner and outer view can help you create a step by step map to the person you want to be. Insight, understanding, vision, action take us on the journey of our lives. There we find hope, meaning, fulfillment and joy.
May you find blessings and joy in your journey.
Meri