Many people confuse fulfillment with happiness. While the two share many common traits, they’re quite different.

The biggest difference is that you can be happy because of something that happened at the moment. But, overall, you still feel like you’re leading a life without meaning or purpose, and, hence, no fulfillment.

Today, we’re exploring the impact that feeling fulfilled has on your life. Yet, before we can do that, we have to understand what it is and where it comes from.

So, let’s dive in.

What is fulfillment?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, fulfillment is when you feel like you’re ‘getting everything you want from life.’ A feeling of satisfaction that you get from doing or achieving something, especially something useful.

It’s also sometimes described as having a purpose and a sense of satisfaction with how your life is turning out.

This means that fulfillment comes from within. It’s not proportional to how much money you have in the bank or how big your house is.

In other words, you can still lead a fulfilling life even though you’re living paycheck to paycheck. How? By doing things that give your life purpose and a sense of achievement.

On the flip side, you can be one of the richest people in the country, but still not be content with your life. You may not even feel happy with everything you’ve amassed.

Here’s an example that will clarify fulfillment more. Think of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do you think he had an easy life? No.

But do you think his life was fulfilling? Definitely!

Despite all of his struggles, Dr. King found ways to fill his life with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which made him feel satisfied with all the efforts he’d put in.

Where does fulfillment come from?

At the basic level of human needs comes health and being provided with the chance to work and pursue your goals. You don’t have to be happy and giddy with laughter all the time. You just need to work toward a certain purpose and get a sense of satisfaction in the meantime.

So, because fulfillment is an internal process, you have to be willing to do the heavy lifting to achieve that sense of contentment.

In order to do that, you have to do certain things that get you closer each day to having more and more fulfillment in your life.

How to bring more fulfillment to your life?

• Count your blessings instead of your problems
• Do more of the things you’re fond of
• Establish healthy habits that bring you joy
• Give back to society by volunteering
• Surround yourself with family and friends
• Embrace a more positive mindset
• Be always ready to learn

So how can fulfillment make us happier?

I can think of at least 6 ways

Now that you know how to find fulfillment, let’s talk about the impact it can have on your life.

1. Gives Your Life Greater Meaning

Our most difficult moments are when we feel like we don’t matter.

When you find fulfillment, all that fades away. You understand the value and meaning of your life and that what you’re doing makes a big difference in other people’s lives, even on a small scale.

Remember, fulfillment doesn’t come from what you own or get, it comes from what you give.

2. Helps You Focus on What’s Truly Important

When you have a sense of purpose, you gain a higher level of clarity. You know what you want, and you have a plan for how you’re going to get there.

Focusing on what’s important to you will also help you make better decisions. Thus, you’re able to move towards what you want with more deliberation and persistence.

3. Boosts Your Self-Confidence

We often let society dictate how we should look, talk, and feel. Yet, when you let other people’s opinions dominate your life, this causes a major dive in confidence and self-esteem.

Luckily, once you begin feeling fulfilled, you’ll come to love and accept yourself. You’ll also begin to be more confident, which will help you stay resolute and determined when working to achieve your ambitions.

4. Makes You Challenge Yourself

Because life is about growth and progress, it pays to challenge yourself. Then, you can improve and develop your skill set, expand your wealth of knowledge, and reach new goals.

5. Allows You to Experience More Joy

More fulfillment brings more joy and overall satisfaction. And when you’re content, you send out positive energy into the universe, which comes back to you tenfold.

This allows you to focus on doing more of the things that bring you happiness. Plus, somewhere along the line, you stop worrying about what other people think or comparing yourself to others, which is one of the most effective ways to reach fulfillment.

6. Leads You to Self-Acceptance

As a result of #5 above, fulfillment leads to contentment and self-acceptance. You stop worrying about what others think. No matter what others say, you don’t think any less of yourself. Your stop playing the blame game. You know what truly matters. After all, is that not what we all aim for?

It’s important to keep in mind that fulfillment is independent of external circumstances. It’s a simple balance in everything you do to eliminate disorder from your life and forge a path of gratitude and harmony. Therein lies happiness.