Introduction

We live in a time defined by unpredictability and upheaval. I personally avoid the hysterics of news but enjoy current events.  I want to figure out the world – which at times comes with a  price.  Working in the film industry, I was a producer on the “Taken” films but the industry is going through enormous change right now with  AI, technology, streaming economic shifts and more. 

For many though,  the pandemic acted as a forced pause, compelling us to reflect on our values, purpose, and definitions of well-being. The global shift to remote and hybrid work environments, growing concerns about societal norms, and an increasingly consumer-driven world have dramatically reshaped how we view work, life, and fulfillment.

But what does fulfillment truly mean? Is it tied to external achievements, or does it come from cultivating inner peace and purpose? This guide explores the profound essence of fulfillment, where it can be found, and steps you can take to achieve it in your own life.

Fulfillment  noun   /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/ /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/

(North American English fulfillment)

1. ​the act of doing or achieving what was hoped for or expected

The Impact of Uncertainty and the Role of Reflection

We find ourselves standing at a crossroads of uncertainty. The pandemic era revealed just how quickly life can change, leaving us with an aching need to rethink our relationships with family, work, and self. For some, it was an opportunity to recalibrate their priorities—leading to the rise of the work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid work trends.

This trend of Work-From-Home also signals to me that people really want to  strive for more balance in their lives between home-work-personal time.  The Pew Research Center (sources on my website in this article) had these statistics:

Roughly three years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended U.S. workplaces, about a third (35%) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all of the time, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. About a third (34%) of those who are currently working from home most of the time say, if they had the choice, they’d like to work from home all the time. And among those who are working from home some of the time, half say they’d like to do so all (18%) or most (32%) of the time.

The Work-From-Home Renaissance

I look at the WFH trend as more significant than just changing the workplace relationship.  I think people are asserting their interests more for fulfillment as well as embracing new technology which still allows them career advancement and work.  The relationship can – depending on the job – be symbiotic.

• Benefits for Employees:

Remote work has allowed employees to reduce stress, eliminate long commutes, and balance work with family responsibilities. For example, Sara, a graphic designer, shared how WFH allowed her to study for a degree alongside raising her children.

• Benefits for Employers:

Businesses have seen an opportunity to broaden their talent pool by recruiting professionals beyond their immediate geographic areas. This, in turn, has helped many startups source highly skilled, specialized workers.

. Regardless of where one stands, the shift has challenged us to ask deeper questions about how we define productivity and satisfaction.

Rethinking Fulfillment in a Consumer-Driven Society

“It is not the man who has too little but the man who craves more who is poor.” – Seneca

Our modern culture tells us that contentment lies in possessions—a bigger house, a better car, a shinier watch. We’re sold an endless cycle of upgrades under the illusion they will bring happiness. But fulfillment tied to external factors is fleeting. The truth is, possessions corrode in time, trends lose relevance, and achievements fade from memory. 

Besides stories of the wealther who cannot find fulfillment in real life, we can also look at literature and film for prime examples. 

In “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (one of my favorite books), the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, accumulates vast wealth in pursuit of a past love, but ultimately finds no lasting fulfillment.  

In the classic film “Citizen Kane”,  Charles Foster Kane, a media tycoon, amasses immense wealth but is haunted by regrets and a sense of isolation. 

Even in the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, George Baily is not fulfilled with the  magic of his family, helping others and his small town. He learns that he was truly fulfilled after seeing what other’s lives would be like without him.

Ask Yourself:

• What truly makes you happy?

• Are your decisions driven by societal expectations, or are they about creating a life you genuinely love? 

Instead of chasing external validation, consider creating a new framework for happiness—one rooted in experiences, connection, and self-discovery.

Fulfillment Through Inner Work

Fulfillment, at its core, is internal. It stems from our thoughts, beliefs, and the narratives we create about ourselves. If these narratives are limiting or self-critical, they become barriers to fulfillment.

Shift Your Internal Dialogue

• Recognize Limiting Beliefs:

Thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never succeed” don’t just hold you back—they actively dismantle your self-worth. For instance, Maria, who once doubted her abilities as an entrepreneur, began journaling daily affirmations and gradually turned self-doubt into confidence.

• Focus on Growth Over Approval:  

Fulfillment is compromised when we overly concern ourselves with others' opinions. Cultivate self-esteem that thrives independently of external validation.

Remember, the quality of your life experience is written by your thoughts. Reflect on the stories you tell yourself—are they empowering?

The Spiritual Nature of Fulfillment

True fulfillment fuels our spirit. It’s a state of being where positivity flows, purpose aligns, and inner peace prevails. This isn’t about religion; it’s about nourishing the soul through practices that connect you to something larger than yourself. 

I get this feeling when I am writing on a script  or a novel.  When I was working on my murder mystery, “Murder In the City of Light”, I felt flow and gratitude – and ultimately fulfillment with a job well  done.

• Practice Gratitude:

Studies consistently show that people who actively express gratitude lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Start by listing three things you’re grateful for every day.

• Engage in Meaningful Action:

Look for ways to contribute to your community or help those in need. Every small act of kindness amplifies your connection with the world.

• Find the Extraordinary in the Ordinary:

Spiritual fulfillment is often found when observing life’s simplest pleasures—a sunrise, a child’s laughter, or the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Steps to Finding Fulfillment

Transforming your life doesn’t require grand gestures—just intentional actions. Here’s how to start your journey toward true fulfillment:

1. Reflect on Values:

Identify what truly matters to you. Is it family, creativity, health, or freedom? Build your life around these pillars. For me, the  Freedom to write and Freedom of Speech and Expression  is an absolute.

2. Practice Mindfulness:

Stay present in the moment. Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga into your routine to calm your thoughts and foster clarity.  Take 10 minutes a day to meditate.  Yes, might seem strange at first.  Find Solfeggio frequencies on YouTube for the background.  Reduces stress, wipes away all the crappy internet chatter in your brain.   Calming for those high blood pressure  scnearios.

3. Pursue Growth:

Take up a new hobby, enroll in a class, or read a book that challenges your thinking. Growth is deeply fulfilling. Math, music and language  keeps our brain cooking.  Memorize people’s phone numbers instead of relying on the damn cell phone.

4. Surround Yourself With Positivity:

Curate your relationships and environment. Seek supportive, inspiring people who lift you higher. People who root for you  and ask how they can  help you are your kind. Not naysayers. I was examining a book called “Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton and how our environment influences our DNA.  Imagine what changing some friends out might  do!

5. Give Back:

Whether it’s through volunteering or mentoring, investing in others’ well-being is one of the most fulfilling acts you can perform. I give seminars on filmmaking and keep learning myself.  I teach martial arts.  Giving back is very fulfilling.  Share your knowledge and life experience.

6. Set Small Goals:

Track incremental progress in areas that matter to you. Fulfillment often lies in the act of striving, not just achieving.  You can check out my  chart of self-improvement with compounding improvemets.  ½% per day is 262% improvement in one year. 1% per day is over 3700%. 

Closing Thoughts

Fulfillment isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset. It requires courage to step away from societal expectations and venture inward. By letting go of the fleeting promises of external achievements and instead developing meaningful practices to enrich your spirit and mind, you open yourself up to a life filled with purpose and joy.

Start small. Reflect, realign, and rediscover yourself. Your path to fulfillment begins now.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/30/about-a-third-of-us-workers-who-can-work-from-home-do-so-all-the-time/