The Real Secret to Fulfillment

Fulfillment and success is something we’re all after. It may look different for each one of us. But through our work, we want to feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Yet how many people feel stuck in their careers? Dislike their jobs? 

People often ask, “How do I feel more fulfilled in my career?”, “How can I find work that I love and get paid for it?”, and “What do I do next?” 

These are highly personal questions and the answers are often not straightforward. How you approach your career decisions depends on a variety of factors, like your education, your interests, the opportunities available in your city and so on. 

But what are the secrets of people who somehow end up becoming top performers in their respective fields? I dived into achievement psychology research to understand what leads to people becoming successful and fulfilled. The key is to unlock both. 

Let’s dive into the research. 

Achievement psychology says that people fundamentally fall into two orientations when answering the question, “Why do you do what you do?” The two orientations are: 

1. Mastery Orientation 

2. Ego Orientation 

People who respond to this question with a mastery orientation sound like the following:

• I really enjoy my craft and want to keep mastering it

• I’m curious about my field of work

• I love to learn 

• I like to go into depth with these things 

And people who respond to this question with an ego orientation often say things like:

• I want to prove that I’m good enough

• I want to look good with my new fancy car

• I want to become powerful 

• I want to be a person of importance

What’s even more fascinating is how individuals in these two orientations react to failure. When ego orientation individuals fail, they typically feel embarrassed whereas mastery orientation individuals react with curiosity. They want to learn more and get it right the next time. 

I’m of the view that one orientation is not better than the other. We all have our reasons and motivations often shaped by our environment and our origin stories. If finding a sustainable path to long-term fulfillment is the goal, then it’s worth reflecting on this question: 

Why do you do what you do? 

Does the love of what you do come first even before wanting to impress people with things like being able to say you work for a global company or your fancy titles with words like ‘director’ or ‘VP of…’ ? 

Getting super clear on your why and doing your work for the right reasons will lead to more joy in your career. You’ll deeply enjoy the process, not just the outcomes you hope to achieve through work. 

Reflective Question 

Which orientation are you currently playing in? 

Need help to clarify your why and shaping your career in a way that you operate from a mastery orientation? Feel free to book time with me here