How can you find personal fulfillment outside of work?


Do you ever feel like your job is taking over your life? People often talk about finding a “work-life balance,” but we all know this is easier said than done. When you have deadlines to meet, meetings to attend and seemingly endless hours to put in, it can be hard to shift your focus away from the office and onto your personal life.

In our society, it is common for a person to identify themself based on the work that they do. We often introduce ourselves using our job titles and let our work day dictate how the rest of the evening will go. Many people pursue a career because they believe it is “their life’s purpose.” That could be true, but it doesn’t mean your life has to revolve around work. By finding a means of personal fulfillment outside of your professional life, you can gain confidence, new skills, and a deeper sense of satisfaction from your life. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

Get in shape

Focusing on fitness is one of the most gratifying lifestyle choices you can make. Carving out time each day to get active can help lower stress, increase energy, and allow you to live a longer, healthier life. It won’t be long before you can feel and see the results of consistent exercise. Try finding an activity you enjoy and can stick to. Maybe it’s walking, biking, weightlifting or joining a sports league. From there, start setting goals for yourself. Maybe you want to run a 5k, squat 200lbs, or perfect your free-throw technique. Accomplishing fitness goals is a great confidence booster, and will likely motivate you to reach even higher!

How can you find personal fulfillment outside of work?

Volunteer

By giving back to your community, or helping those in need, you can find a sense of fulfillment unlike any other. There is no better feeling than doing your part, and knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life. You can seek out somewhere to volunteer by researching causes that you are passionate about, or finding an organization in your community that needs support.

Take up a new hobby

Do you have an old hobby that you’ve wanted to pick back up? Perhaps there is something you’ve always wanted to learn, but never got around to trying. Committing time to activities you enjoy, like playing an instrument, creating art, or writing a book, is a great way to use your free time and do something productive. Pursuing a hobby allows you to develop new skills and meet new people who share the same interests as yourself. 

How can you find personal fulfillment outside of work?

Visit a new place

If you have the means to travel, experiencing new places and cultures is one of the most effective ways to find fulfillment in life. Whether it’s a day trip to a local landmark, or a week-long excursion to a tropical place, going somewhere new can be like a “reset” and have an enormous impact on your wellbeing. Breaking away from the ordinary allows you to discover new beauty in the world, and even appreciate the mundane parts of our own lives when we return back to them. 

While it is commendable to work hard at one’s job, it is oh-so important to seek fulfillment in other areas of our lives. After all, performing at work is not our sole purpose as humans — we are also here to learn, socialize, and to experience the beauty of the world around us. When you let work take control of your life, you risk losing sight of what really makes it great!

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