Living a happy and fulfilling life is what you get out of it, right? 

Well, not according to the research. It turns out that the people who live the most fulfilling lives are those who serve others. 

Serving other people always feels like a risk. You worry that they will take advantage of you in some way, and that will eliminate your chances of success. But that’s generally not how the world works. The more you give, the more you receive.

Ultimately, what matters to a lot of people is whether they are making a difference in the world. Having a mansion and a sports car is fun for a few weeks. But it’s not going to sustain you over the long term. The only way to get fulfillment is to do something meaningful to others.

So what does this mean in practice? 

Fundamentally, it means transitioning your lifestyle from one where you try to “get” to one in which you “give” as much as possible. To the giver comes the fullness of life; to the taker, just an empty hand. 

On a personal level, for instance, it could mean changing how you approach life. Instead of becoming insular and grabbing money wherever you can, try to simply allow the process to happen. Explore what comes your way when you give your time and energy to other people - perhaps your family or customers. You’ll find that eventually your efforts come back around. And, eventually, your life becomes so much richer and more fulfilled. 

You can also try choosing a career in which you’re explicitly doing things that make the lives of others better. Yes - most jobs contribute to society. But selling insurance is very different from becoming a personal counsellor. 

Many people are flirting with the idea of health coach training in 2021. That’s because health is a big topic right now. Currently, many people are suffering immensely because they can’t escape the modern industrial food system or sedentary lives. They want to think they are living healthily. But once they get the knowledge, they discover that they aren’t at all. 

You can also go into the medical field. However, if you choose this direction, you might not have as much power as you might imagine. 

What Happens When You Serve Others?

Once you start serving others, your entire life changes. You suddenly find that you’re providing massive value to the lives of others, and they are willing to reward you for it. 

However, serving others also has a profound effect on how you feel about yourself. You go through life knowing that you’re doing something of genuine worth to other people. And that’s one of the best ways to feel fulfilled in your life. 

Serving others, therefore, is a way of gaining purpose. But you have to be able to let go of the fear that other people will take advantage of you. Perhaps some will. But that’s okay, because your supply of energy is boundless. You can just keep giving, bide your time, and enjoy the rewards when they come.