So many of us get caught up in the busyness of our lives that we are busy being busy. But how often do we stop to ask if the things we are doing are fulfilling? We feel like if we are busy we are being productive. Are we being productive if we are doing unfulfilling tasks? Do we even know what it is that fulfills us? What level of importance have we given to our happiness and fulfillment? We have many roles we play in our lives. Within each role we will have different responsibilities. How are we going about representing those roles? Are we being fulfilled by them? Are your relationships fulfilling? Is your job fulfilling?

How do you know? Well, one way is to look at how peaceful and healthy your life and relationships are. Is your life filled with chaos and drama? Are your relationships filled with love and acceptance? The definition of fulfilling is ‘making someone satisfied or happy because of fully developing their character or abilities.’ If we are not being fulfilled by the tasks we are performing in our lives we need to look at why that is. Are you going in to these roles and experiences being open to the growth opportunities available to you or are you doing these things expecting rewards and gratitude from others?

Look at how you spend your day. Make a list if you have to. Then with each task you do during the day, like checking Facebook, taking the kids to soccer, volunteering, cooking or working, make a list of how each one affects you on a scale of 1-10. With 1 being non-fulfilling and non-productive and 10 being highly fulfilling and productive. Then look at all of the things you scored below a 5. Ask yourself how you can change that task so it is more fulfilling or what task can you bring in to your life that would bring more fulfillment. That may mean changing jobs, cutting out the soccer games, and limiting Facebook time. Or it may mean changing your attitude about the task itself. It also may mean having some conversations with the people in your life about priorities and necessities. The things we do should energize us and not deplete us. If our life feels unfulfilled it is because we let it get that way. But we also have the power to change it. Start to take inventory of your life. Learn when to say yes and when to say no, and make your yes’s count. Make your fulfillment a priority. Life is too short to just go through the motions. Start to re-energize your life today.