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I thought the title would capture your attention. I find it interesting that we have our views on success and there are two main ways we define success. Unfortunately, there is an obscure third method of success that is hidden from view from many and if embraced, can lead to the other two ways being realized. So what is the third method of success? Let’s venture into the unknown!

First let’s explore the more obvious two ways. One is money. Many might define their success based on how much money they make and sometimes it is chasing a way that always out distances us because we might get a raise or switch jobs and earn more money but often times we are not satisfied and continue down a path to gain more money. How much money one makes is a tangible measure of success because you can account for a progression and rise in ones financial wealth. Equally, money allows you to have purchasing power so that you can also physically see what you have gained because of how much you earned. For sure, this can be an example of success.

The second method of success is status. Status is what position or title you hold. As a manager, you might but trying to achieve a director’s level and then a VP position. One might determine success based on the title you hold within an organization. Your personal goals may have you striving to a position or title and once that is achieved, you can sit back for a while, appreciate what you have achieved and consider that success. Don’t get me wrong, this can be success.

The obscure level of success that seems to be overlooked is ‘fulfillment’. The following is what one source calls fulfillment: “Fulfillment is a feeling of happiness and satisfaction. It’s also the completion of something, like the fulfillment of a promise. This word has two related meanings. In terms of emotions, fulfillment is a happy, contented feeling.” I think I like the words ‘happy’, ‘satisfaction’ and/or ‘contended’. Now one might think that fulfillment is superficial and difficult to measure but if you appreciate what you are doing and what you have accomplished, you have fulfillment. If you are solely focused on money and status, you might not fully embrace fulfillment because you are on an ever present journey to continue down a pathway. Fulfillment on the other hand, allows one to self-reflect on how they feel about where they are in life. If you feel what is around you brings you joy, you have fulfillment.

The final aspect of fulfillment, and the most important part, is that if you are fulfilled, you can have money and status because they come with your sense of contentedness and happiness. Maybe it is time to appreciate what you are striving for or have accomplished and take time to look at who you are. Fulfillment is not a common perspective of success but it is success.

So how can you determine if you are fulfilled?

• Do you feel in alignment with what you are doing and does what you are doing make you feel a sense of purpose?
• Do you feel confident in your abilities to get the job done and you enjoy what you are working on?
• Do you feel you are succeeding or accomplishing something that resonates with you?
• Do you feel that the idea of going to work is exhilarating and engaging?
• Do you feel a sense of purpose in what you are doing?

What if you are not feeling a sense of fulfillment or purpose? Here are some things you can do:

• Find someone you trust, such as a life or career coach, who will help you lay out a plan that is in line with your values and life.
• Assess where you are in life and rather than only focusing on the challenges, focus on what you have done that offers a sense of satisfaction and success.
• Do an inventor and assessment of who you are what is important to you, then compare to where you are in life and see if there are some threads that can guide you to fulfillment.
• Vision where you would like to go in life and career. Take time to reflect on your journey and see where it guides you moving forward.
• Define what success looks like to do you and instead of diminishing it or comparing to others, lay out what your own success might be and then appreciate what you accomplish.

Success can be different ways but fulfillment allows one to have it all because if you feel a sense of fulfillment, it will show in your life but also projects to those around you and becomes who you are and people recognize you for who you are and your sense of purpose.