How to Find Fulfillment Beyond Achieving Your Biggest Goals

Rethinking What Really Brings Meaning to Your Life

Most of us were raised with the idea that success is a series of milestones. We’re told to set goals, chase the next achievement, and keep pushing forward. From hitting a retirement number, getting promoted, running that marathon, or celebrating milestone birthdays, our culture teaches us that happiness lies just beyond that next checked box.

But what if you get there and still feel empty?

Here’s a story that caught my attention: After winning a major golf tournament, pro golfer Scottie Scheffler described the experience as feeling “awesome for two minutes.” Just two minutes. And then? The moment faded. The grind started again. That cycle isn’t unique to professional athletes. I’ve seen it play out in boardrooms, with parents, with retirees, and in my own life.

So if even the biggest victories only bring fleeting satisfaction, what are we really chasing?

Why Even Big Wins Can Leave You Feeling Flat

Pursuing goals is motivating. They give us structure and can be incredibly rewarding while we’re in the process. But too often, we attach our identity and happiness to a finish line. It’s the classic “if-then” trap: If I achieve this, then I’ll finally feel happy, secure, or successful.

The problem is that many goals are binary—you either hit them or you don’t. They’re black-and-white, pass-or-fail. And even when we succeed, the high doesn’t last. Instead, we often feel underwhelmed or left with a gnawing question: Now what?

This is especially common among high achievers or those approaching retirement. You finally reach that financial goal or professional milestone, and instead of relief, you feel… restless.

What’s going on?

The Hidden Cost of Delaying Joy

One of the biggest pitfalls I see is postponing joy until a goal is met.

We say things like:

• “I’ll travel once I retire.”

• “Once I hit this bonus target, I’ll finally take time off.”

• “After I get the kids off to college, then I’ll start that hobby I’ve always dreamed about.”

But life doesn’t work on a delayed gratification calendar. Time moves, circumstances change, and we can find ourselves waiting so long for fulfillment that we forget how to recognize it when it shows up.

Living this way is like running a race where the finish line keeps moving. And often, by the time we stop to catch our breath, we’ve lost sight of why we started running in the first place.

Shifting from Goals to Values

So how do you break the cycle?

By shifting the focus from goals to values.

Goals are destinations. They’re outcomes. Values, on the other hand, are like a compass. They guide how you show up in the world, every day. Values are the why behind your what.

Think of it this way: A goal might be saving $1 million for retirement. But the deeper value might be security, freedom, or peace of mind. When you understand the value beneath the goal, you can find ways to live that value today—not just at some distant finish line.

Here’s another example: Maybe your goal is to write a book. But the value driving that might be creative expression, impact, or growth. Recognizing this allows you to find fulfillment in the writing process itself, not just when the book hits the shelves.

Values don’t expire or get checked off. They evolve with you, and they give your efforts lasting meaning.

Four Practical Ways to Live with More Fulfillment

If values feel a little abstract, here are four concrete ways to start living them day-to-day:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Instead of judging success by whether you’ve won or lost, focus on what you’re learning. A growth mindset is about progress over perfection. Ask yourself:

• What did I discover today?

• Where did I stretch outside my comfort zone?

• How did I respond to something difficult?

The reward becomes how you grow, not just what you achieve.

2. Break Down Big Goals into Micro Goals

Big ambitions can be overwhelming. Whether it’s saving for retirement, training for a triathlon, or starting a business, try breaking the goal into manageable, process-focused steps:

• Save an extra $100 per paycheck

• Run three times a week

• Write 200 words per day

These small, consistent wins create momentum—and they compound over time.

3. Build a “Pride Practice”

Every evening, write down three things you’re proud of from that day. These don’t have to be groundbreaking:

• You finally made that doctor’s appointment

• You took a walk instead of scrolling your phone

• You had a hard conversation with honesty

By practicing daily recognition, you reinforce your values in action—and start to value how you’re living, not just what you’ve accomplished.

4. Clarify Your Real Why

Before setting your next goal, ask yourself:

• What am I hoping this will do for me?

• What emotional state am I chasing?

• Is this really my goal—or someone else’s expectation?

Getting clear on your motivations can help you design goals that align with your core values. That clarity keeps you from burning out chasing accomplishments that don’t actually fulfill you.

Fulfillment Lives in the Moments Between Milestones

If you take nothing else from this, remember this: true fulfillment isn’t reserved for your biggest wins. It’s built in the quiet, meaningful, often-overlooked moments in between.

It’s the conversation with your kids after dinner. The sense of accomplishment from doing work that reflects your values. The peace of an early morning walk. The courage to say “no” when something doesn’t feel right.

Those are the things that compound. That’s the real return on investment.

As you think about what’s next in your life—whether it’s a career change, retirement, or simply the next chapter—don’t just ask what you want to achieve. Ask how you want to live while you’re getting there.

Because when your values lead the way, fulfillment doesn’t just arrive at the end. It shows up all along the road.