Fulfillment: A Short Essay
Most parents will desire success for their children.
The type of success we’re use to has a consistently taken path.
It probably sounded a little something like this:
- Go to school.
- Get good grades.
- Find a good job.
- Make a lot of money.
- Take care of your family.
- Don’t forget to buy a lot of things.
Success? For some, sure.
For others? Well not exactly.
All of those things sound great. But is that all success is about?
At some point, more and more have become disillusioned by this “proven” path.
Our parents and loved ones typically were the ones to want these forms of success for us.
Yet, what was originally wanted by our parents, an entire generation came to see wasn’t actually going to make them happy.
This hit me at 19.
The path to success I laid out earlier was the anthem of my life.
So of course I took it.
But I quickly found myself directionless.
Now don’t think I’m against education or a career or money. The exact opposite actually.
I just want all of those important factors of a happy life to be grounded in something more:
Fulfillment.
The traditional path
At 19, pursuing this traditional notion of success using traditional means wasn’t giving me the fulfillment I was looking for.
If success was simply about a career and money, I wanted nothing to do with it.
But in today’s world, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Instead of getting an education to make money, now you can leverage your ideas to create genuine wealth.
Instead of working a 9–5 at a job you hate…
…you can work 10 hours per week.
How?
Gain skills. Showcase them. Offer your services. Create products. Build an audience and community. Focus on value.
All online or any other number of ways.
Crazy.
What does any of this have to do with fulfillment?
For most (including myself), fulfillment happens as a by product of contributing to the greater good.
If that be in business, your community, your family, etc. it doesn’t matter. Value is value. Service is service.
We as human beings are wired to thrive on serving others.
You are at your best when your main concern is another person.
In today’s world, the opportunities at our disposal to do so means that anyone can do it.
Degree or not.
Money or not (well maybe a little).
If you desire to take the proven path, be my guest. There’s nothing wrong with that.
But if you desire to leverage new means to increase your wealth and free up your time, all to give more, know that there is a way.
Where does this leave me?
I’m asking those bigger questions naturally now.
Such as,
- How do I want to make money?
- Where do I want to live?
- Whom am I being called to sow into?
- How can I serve my neighbor?
- What kind of life do I want to build for my family?
Except this time, I’ve taken off the stuffy traditional lens and am starting with a clean slate.
Stay tuned for the results, but I’m chasing something more than money can buy.
I’m looking for fulfillment, one that doesn’t come from anything in this world.
Yet one that I can pursue with a new outlook and current means.
If you want more of my writing or just want to connect, you can find me here!
