THE FULFILMENT MANIFESTO

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Success is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a “favorable outcome, accomplishment of what was aimed at, attainment of wealth or fame or position.” Achieving success doesn’t require passion, nor does it require doing work that resonates with the highest of your values or the use of your best energies and skills. Fulfilment, on the other hand, is to “develop one’s gift and character to the full.” Fulfilment requires zeal, aligns with your best principles and uses the abilities you get greatest pleasure out of. You can become successful doing something you hate, but the same is not true of fulfilment. Fulfilment is not just about getting from A to B; it is knowing the deeper meaning and significance of B. Fulfilment involves becoming all you are capable of and enjoying the journey as much as the destination.

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The roads you travel may be one or numerous. They may be bumped, curved, narrow or have a fork in. You may change route during your expedition, deciding one route will provide you with a more enjoyable journey relative to another.

Your adventure will take you to places you’ve never dreamed of. You will come into contact with the good, the bad and the ugly. Some days you may feel like turning back, yearning for the comfort of the familiar. But there will always be a voice telling you to spur on. Various projects or tasks can lead you to fulfilment but they will only do so if they are in alignment with what you value the most.

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Unlike time, every penny spent can be regained. And although hoarding money does not generate more money or happiness, investing it does. Investments need not be restricted to stocks, shares or the ventures of other people. Investing in the people and activities that help you maximize your potential, professionally and personally, are the greatest investments you will ever make. Those investments will not only help you gain greater financial wealth but will give you a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and happiness that can never be taken away from you. That is the greatest wealth of all.

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One shot. One kill. Some people, like famous architect Zaha Hadid, are born with a fire in their belly for a particular subject and spend their life happily dedicated to it. Likewise, some find a lifelong companion and friend in the very first person they date. However, most of us don’t get it right the first time nor should we expect to.

Fulfilment is about finding the right thing to get ambitious about. Just like finding the perfect jeans requires you to diversify by trying different sizes, brands, cuts and washes; so too does identifying the tasks and people that make life worthwhile. You may have to venture to new places, meet new people, taste new foods, participate in new activities and experiment with new ideas. The journey may not be easy, but it is sure worthwhile. And just like when you ‘know’ you have found true love, with the one person that gets the best out of you and you want to celebrate your existence with, you too will know when you have found work that resonates with your values and uses your greatest competencies. 

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It is only once we question our own deepest assumptions and beliefs that we can call ourselves open-minded. All our opinions are formed as a consequence of our own lessons and experiences. As a result, we become fixed in our views. That’s fine. Everyone has his or her own truth. But we must always strive to actively listen out for the value in what another person has to say, accept when we are wrong and adjust our premises in accordance to what will make us better people.

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In order to fast track fulfilment, a level of self-awareness is required. Though diversification can help you identify the tasks that bring you the greatest happiness and help keep your ideas fresh; it is only through cultivating self-awareness that you can most efficiently work out how to best blend your skills with your passions. Therefore, highlighting which aspects of a project you should do yourself and what you should delegate to others. There are three main ways of cultivating self-awareness: 1) Use life as your teacher. When something goes badly, ask yourself why and how you contributed. Once you have answered those questions, you can adjust your behavior. 2) Read books. If you know you have a particular problem or are looking for ways to achieve greater self-awareness, bookstores have a wealth of literature to guide you. 3) Hire a coach. A certified life coach has been trained in a methodology that is designed to get the best out of you. Through presenting you with a series of exercises, a coach can aid you in identifying your strengths, values and motivators— increasing the likelihood you select work that you not only excel at, but also makes you happy.

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Connecting with superheroes in a field you are passionate about is now quite easy. You are only ever an e-mail, tweet, Facebook post or LinkedIn message away from expert advice. Failing to get the most talented person in the world, seek advice from your immediate environment. If you are fortunate to work for a company that produces work that excites you, find the most capable person in your office and ask them to mentor you. Although there is value in learning from your own mistakes, it is better to learn from the mistakes of others.

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