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A month ago, I was called the weirdest Millennial ever…

And this is why…

Because I have started to believe that—more and more—there is something that too many people do wrong when it comes to our professional lives. We put too many eggs in one basket.

We often hear about the importance of multiple sources of income, but you know what? More than that, I think it should be about creating multiple sources of fulfillment. Like, this cannot be emphasized enough. Many rely on our careers or businesses to provide us with a paycheck, passion, and overall fulfillment in life. However, when things go wrong or veer off track, what happens? We have nothing else to bolster us or pick us up.

So, what if we diversify our sources of fulfillment in the same way that we diversify our incomes. What this does is create a safety net for ourselves. It's like having a backup plan or a cushion to fall back on when one area of our life doesn't meet our expectations. I’ve said for years that I think having a day job actually helps a lot when it comes to preventing burnout in my life. I know. Counterintuitive, right? But it really does. When one aspect of my life faces challenges or setbacks, I can find solace and fulfillment in the other.

When my business isn’t going well or is overwhelming me, I have my day job to fall-back on. When my day job is going to hell, my business keeps me fulfilled.

Having multiple sources of fulfillment allows us to explore different aspects of ourselves and tap into our various passions and interests. It prevents us from becoming too narrowly focused on one area and helps us maintain a sense of balance and well-roundedness. We are multifaceted beings, and by nurturing multiple sources of fulfillment, we honor and celebrate the complexity of who we are. And that prevents burnout.

Emotional burnout is pervasive and hard to shake, and it comes from a lack of fulfillment in our lives. When we’re not fulfilled—particularly as high-achievers—we lose the sense of purpose in our lives that is foremost in driving us.

It's essential to remember that fulfillment doesn't solely come from external factors like money or career success. True fulfillment is a deeply personal and subjective experience. By diversifying our sources of fulfillment, we acknowledge that our happiness and sense of purpose can come from different areas of our lives, our relationships, hobbies, personal growth, or contributing to our communities.

To give you an idea of some of the places that I find fulfillment in my life:

• My Business (#duh)

• My Day Job and working with my students

• Health and Fitness

• Painting

• Reading and Learning New Things

• Having discipline

And honestly, I know there are more things than that, but at least these gives you some places to get started.

In conclusion, while multiple sources of income are valuable, multiple sources of fulfillment should be prioritized as the ultimate burnout prevention strategy. By expanding our horizons and nurturing various aspects of our lives, we create resilience and find fulfillment even when one area falters. Let's not put all our eggs in one basket but instead embrace the richness and abundance that comes from having multiple sources of fulfillment.

To learn more about burnout prevention and finding fulfillment, reach out to me here.

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