Focus on the Purpose Payoff

We spend much of our lives chasing happiness but what if the true driver of joy, energy and impact isn’t happiness at all but fulfilment?

Purpose isn’t just a nice-to-have or something to think about later in life; it is the very engine behind meaningful success, both personally and professionally.

Not long ago, I had everything that looked like success from the outside: a thriving career, healthy income, opportunities to travel, a beautiful home and even a sleek electric car parked on the driveway. Yet, despite these achievements, I felt hollow. My diary was overflowing, but so was the emptiness inside. I was busy yet not fulfilled.

What I came to realise is this: if you don’t measure fulfilment, you rarely notice when it is missing. Success without fulfilment is like chasing a finish line that keeps moving. No matter how many milestones you hit, it never feels different.

Fulfilment goes far deeper than happiness. Happiness is fleeting, a temporary emotion that ebbs and flows with circumstances. Fulfilment, on the other hand, is a state of being. Happiness is what you feel as a result of what you do; fulfilment is what you feel because of why you do it. Here lies the beautiful paradox: when you prioritise purposeful fulfilment, happiness shows up naturally, as a by-product rather than the goal.

Even neuroscience supports this truth. Acting with purpose sparks dopamine, creating motivation and reward. Altruistic actions release nitric oxide, helping you feel calmer and more connected. Social engagement stimulates oxytocin, the hormone of trust and belonging. When energised, your body produces endorphins, delivering that natural high. Living and working with purpose literally rewires your brain for creativity, joy and resilience.

Fulfilment is experienced through contribution and emerging when you align your values, passions and talents to make a positive difference. When you choose to prioritise purpose over mere achievement, success becomes richer, more meaningful and ultimately more sustainable.

Focus on the Purpose Payoff. Focus on WHY!

REFLECTION WITH ACTION: On a scale of 1–10, how fulfilled do you feel right now in your work and life? If it’s not a 10, what’s one action you’ll take today to close that gap?