You can live a more fulfilling life. Here’s how.

Do you want to add more joy to your life and feel more fulfilled at the end of each day? Then it’s time to expand on your “to-do” list. Not by adding things that you “should” do. But instead by creating a “fulfillment list.” 

What is a “fulfillment list?” It’s all about getting back in touch with what you like to do – what makes you feel engaged in life- and then being intentional about doing it. 

By balancing tasks we “should” do with activities that bring us joy, we live a richer life.

If you’re anything like me, then you know that the daily grind can send us into “doing mode.” If I’m not careful, I can find myself frantically trying to get as much done as I can.

Laundry, check. Dishes, check. Clean bathroom, check. When I’m in this mode, my self-talk isn’t always the greatest, and I get run down pretty quickly. Before I know it, my house looks great, but I am absolutely drained, with little energy or patience left for my family. 

Sprinkling in activities from my “fulfillment list” throughout the day makes life feel much more balanced and keeps my energy level high enough that I feel like myself at the end of the day. So what does this look like? 

• First, get back in touch with things that bring you pleasure and enjoyment daily. It doesn’t have to cost money. It could be reading a book to your kids. Or listening to a podcast or TED talk. Maybe meditating in the morning or dancing around the house is more your thing. 

• Next, think of things you enjoy doing that you could do monthly. This could be shopping at the farmer’s market. Or grabbing coffee with a friend. Or maybe going to the museum or an exercise class you love. 

• Finally, brainstorm things you could do yearly. These would bigger things like swimming in the ocean (if you live far from it like me), or visiting a national park you’ve always wanted to see.

Try to make a list of at least 30 things total and sort them into daily, monthly, and yearly activities. You’ll want to have more daily things than monthly or yearly. Be specific with your list – include authors you like to read, concepts you’d like to learn more about, or musicians whose work makes you feel more alive. 

Now, be intentional about writing them on your calendar – daily, monthly and annually. Try to balance your daily “to-do” list with two activities from your daily “fulfillment list” – every day. Rotate fun activities to keep things fresh. Plan a less-regular activity sometime soon. 

I like to write down three “to-do” tasks and two “fulfillment” activities for each day. And then I take intentionally completing the fun activities as seriously as I do the other tasks. 

Unload the dishwasher, check. Sit and play with my toddler, check. Vacuum the dining room, check. Sit and meditate for 20 minutes during nap time, check. 

This makes for a much more balanced and enjoyable day. Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Let’s be intentional about making our days rich, joyful, and fulfilling, so that ultimately, our lives can be too. 

For more ideas on things to put on your fulfillment list, see below. 

Taking a walk in the park, taking photographs, dancing, taking a relaxing bath, getting a message, morning meditation, writing a letter to a friend, sipping organic coffee, painting, reading spiritual books, reading a novel, burning candles, diffusing essential oils, joining a Bible study, hiking in the woods, swimming in the ocean, cooking with friends, reading a bedtime story to your kids, writing in a journal, laughing with family and friends, buying yourself flowers, shopping at the farmer’s market, taking a foreign language class, reading a thought- provoking article or book, spending extra time in prayer, writing a blog post, watching TED talks or listening to podcasts, taking an exercise class, visiting a museum, attending a sporting event, or going to a musical.

Happy brainstorming for a more balanced and fulfilling life.