A Vision of Fulfillment in Life
A scientific manifesto by EVOLVING LAB
Today, we have the opportunity to live long lives—our research contributes to an understanding of what constitutes a fulfilling life.
— EVOLVING LAB
WHY FULFILLMENT IN LIFE MATTERS
Longevity alone is no guarantee of a meaningful or satisfying life. People strive not only to exist, but to have lived well and to have made a meaningful contribution.
The search for a fulfilling life therefore goes beyond fleeting experiences of happiness. It focuses on what constitutes a well-lived life from a holistic, long-term perspective.
FULFILLMENT IS NOT A LUXURY
The pursuit of a fulfilling life is neither vanity nor selfishness. Research shows that assessing one's own life as fulfilling is associated with greater psychological well-being, better subjective health, and more positive images of aging.
Furthermore, fulfillment is closely linked to generativity: the desire to contribute, take responsibility, and leave a positive mark on the lives of others. A fulfilled life is therefore not a purely self-centered life, but one that has an impact beyond the individual.
A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE
A fulfilling life requires the ability to switch between different perspectives on time: focusing on what is important in the long term so that we don't lose sight of our goals, but also being able to live in the moment so that we don't miss out on the gift of the present.
Our research distinguishes four central time perspectives in which people experience fulfillment. The graphic illustrates how fulfillment unfolds from momentary activities across roles and areas of life to the evaluation of one's entire life.