What is self-fulfillment? What does self-actualization mean? It’s knowing that you’re in the right place doing what you’re meant to do. It’s feeling fully yourself and being at peace with who you are and what you’re doing. So how do you get there? Here are 10 questions to help you.

1 – Self-fulfillment: What do I want to offer?

What do I want to offer the world, others and even myself? Do I want to do what’s expected of me, or do I have the courage to look myself in the face and do what I really want to do?

Because that’s where we are today: we’re doing what’s expected of us. In fact, we don’t want to be noticed, so we squander our talents on work that we don’t really enjoy and that doesn’t give us fulfillment, and even in our passions, we settle for conventional things for fear of what people will say.

We don’t ask ourselves: “Does this make me happy, but what will others think?

What if we were to shake things up a bit and realize ourselves?

So, it’s time to ask yourself this question: “What do I want to offer?”

Close your eyes and don’t put any limits on yourself. It’s okay to be afraid, it’s okay to doubt, but dream big. Know that you will always be accompanied and supported on your path. Yes, it won’t be all rosy, all mapped out, but the goal isn’t the destination, it’s the path.

Indeed, self-fulfilment is knowing that every day we take a small step towards what we want to offer the world, others and ourselves.

So, what do you want to offer?

2 – What do I want to live for?

Ever since we were children, we’ve been told that life is more like this than like that. That’s why we sometimes wake up and have doubts: is this really the life I want to lead?

In other words, the key to self-fulfillment is to allow yourself to ask the question: “What do I want to live for?”

However, we tend to formulate the question more like this: “What can I live for?”

In fact, we tend to limit our vision of life. But what if it were much more than that?

In fact, personal fulfillment means having the courage to ask ourselves what we want to experience in this life. It’s realizing that it’s ours, and that it’s up to us to push our limits a little further every day.

So, what do you want to experience in this life?

3 – If I were to imagine myself on my deathbed, what would I want to remember?

We don’t always realize it, but death is very good advice. Indeed, once we accept that one day we’re going to die, everything makes more sense.

So can you close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself on your deathbed? Breathe calmly. If you feel fear, it’s normal.

But go beyond your fear. Imagine yourself on your deathbed. What would you like to say about your life? What would be your happiest memories?

In fact, what would make you say, “My life was worth living, I’m happy.”

Because that’s what it means to be fulfilled, to lead a life that we think is worth living.

4 – Are my dreams really mine?

Self-fulfillment is not the fulfillment of others. And yet, when we take a closer look at most of our life choices, we can see that others had a big impact on them.

Because we were afraid of disappointing, afraid of being left, afraid of being criticized…

What if we were no longer afraid? And if we no longer cared about others, what would it be like to realize ourselves?

So, what are your dreams?

5 – Self-fulfillment: Who do I want to be?

Sometimes we talk about ourselves fatalistically: “This is just the way I am.”

In fact, we don’t observe ourselves enough. Can you see how much you’ve changed since you were a child, 10 years ago, 5 years ago, even 6 months ago?

Indeed, we change all the time!

We evolve, we grow, because every day we learn and experience new things.

So, rather than locking yourself into boxes, why not give yourself the chance to be who you want to be?

Remember: self-fulfilment is also about choosing who you want to be.

6 – Self-fulfilment: Am I living my dream life?

Self-actualization means staying connected to your dreams. But, unfortunately, with everyday life, it’s hard to remember them.

In fact, in our day-to-day lives, we tend to focus on our problems.

In fact, on closer inspection, we sometimes even seem to go from one problem to another.

And yet, self-fulfilment is above all about fulfilling your dreams. So how do you go about it?

How about changing the way we look at things? Instead of seeing problems everywhere, why not see opportunities to fulfill our dreams?

After all, our life is only a reflection of what we want it to be.

In other words, if you choose to see only problems, you’ll see only problems. But if you choose to see only opportunities to achieve your dreams, then you’ll see only that.

7 – What don’t I like about my current life, and how can I change it?

Self-fulfilment is also about seeing what’s wrong and taking things back into your own hands.

It’s normal for things to go wrong. Indeed, there are always ups and downs, things that fall into our laps, but all this doesn’t come to sink us, but to make us stronger.

So don’t be afraid, don’t doubt. Know that your shoulders are strong enough to face anything!

That’s why it’s time to take a deep breath and ask yourself: What don’t I want anymore, and how can I change it?

After all, self-fulfilment means freeing yourself from what you no longer want!

8 – Self-fulfillment: What does self-fulfillment evoke in me? What images? What emotions come to me spontaneously?

All too often, when we talk about self-fulfilment, we turn to one another. We look everywhere for answers, except within ourselves.

Yet the answers lie within us.

These questions will help you find them. Because answers don’t come by themselves (laughs).

And, so, I wholeheartedly invite you to take a few moments to ask yourself: “What does it mean to me: self-fulfillment?” “What does it mean to me: self-actualization?”

Close your eyes and listen to your heart. It may not be immediate, it probably will be (laughs). So ask yourself that question every day until you hear the answers.

You know, being alive isn’t about ticking boxes approved by society or those around you, it’s about you finding the definition, your definition of self-fulfilment.

9 – Self-fulfilment: If I had nothing to prove, what would I do?

This question is more than liberating. We don’t always realize it, but everything we do is to prove something to others.

Proof that we’re good people, and proof that we’re worth loving.

What if you didn’t have to prove anything? Just imagine. Close your eyes. What do you see? What do you feel? What would you do?

Because that’s what self-fulfilment is all about: doing things for yourself and in your own way.

10 – Self-fulfilment: And what would I no longer do?

Following your path also means having what you wouldn’t do anymore if you had nothing to prove.

Indeed, it means sorting out all those activities we do day after day to make sure we’re somebody in the eyes of others and society.

And if we were no longer afraid of becoming ourselves, what would we stop doing?

Being fulfilled in this life also means sorting out what we do. It means knowing how to let go, how to free yourself.

Yes, it means simplifying so as to keep only what’s essential to us and no longer what’s essential in the eyes of others.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Stop living for others: 3 mistakes we all make
Discover Best practices for living a more exciting life right now

I recommend this inspiring book:

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir traces her journey of discovery and personal fulfillment after a painful divorce. Through journeys to Italy, India and Indonesia, she explores pleasure, spirituality and balance. The book resonates with people seeking fulfillment, inspiring the search for personal happiness and authenticity. Gilbert’s story encourages readers to embark on their own journey to find personal fulfillment and embrace a more intentional, meaningful life.

I was already a huge fan of the film and dreamed of reading this book. Although I already knew the film inside out, the book far exceeded my expectations. The part about India drags on a bit and I must admit I spent some time trying to get through it. Otherwise, I loved every second of reading this book. It’s funny, light and full of lessons and phrases that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I loved it.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself