The study, discussed in a recent article in Psychology Today, followed people for four years and found that those who believed their life had meaning and purpose generally felt better and were happier, more fulfilled, more socially connected, and even more financially prosperous over that period of time.
Despite these encouraging results, a Gallop poll found that 900 million people in 142 countries feel “unfulfilled” in their life and work. And in the United States, 70 percent of working adults are unhappy and disengaged on the job. Many experts believe that professional dissatisfaction with work is the result of personal dissatisfaction with life, and that the solution is not a better career strategy, but a better life strategy.
“The word ‘stuck’ gets used all the time,” says Jim Phillips, a speaker, coach, L.I.F.E. Strategist, and author of The Key to L.I.F.E.: Living in Full Expression. “It’s where people feel like there’s something in their way and they can’t proceed, because quite frankly, they don’t know where they’re going. They haven’t taken the time to identify what it is they’re trying to do with their lives, outside of having a good job and making money and being able to pay bills.”
For over thirty years, Phillips has inspired others to higher levels of understanding and achievement. His own spiritual journey took a dramatic turn with a profound experience at the age of thirteen that confirmed he had a very specific message to share – when the time was right. “Forty-five or so years later I now find myself sharing what I have come to know and understand about spirituality, life, and our purpose,” Phillips says. “Never has there been a time in the history of humanity when there was a greater need to understand who we are, and why we are here.”
Phillips believes that one of the keys to finding fulfillment in life is shattering the illusions of limiting beliefs. “What we believe and hold as true about life and our self is presented to us as our lived experience,” Phillips explains. “Limiting thoughts and beliefs are the invisible chains that bind us.”
According to Phillips, a limiting belief is any thought or belief that someone holds as true, either consciously or unconsciously, that limits the full expression and experience of the truth of who they are. For example, a person may limit their own potential by believing they cannot be happy or succeed because they are too old or too young, or grew up in a dysfunctional family. “The truth is, we are limitless in what we can create and experience,” Phillips says. “But you have to give your Self permission to unlock the invisible chains that bind you and be released from your Self-imposed prison so you can step fully into the magnificence of all that you are.”
According to Phillips, the greatest obstacle that prevents people from achieving the life experience they desire is fear. “To live fearlessly you must fear less. You must understand the nature of fear and recognize that most of what you fear has no substance or validity,” Phillips teaches. “Living fearlessly is knowing that no matter what happens, it happens for you, not to you.”
“Whether you call him a coach, mentor, guide, teacher, motivator or wizard, Jim is the absolute best!” says Susan C., who attended an event hosted by Phillips. “Jim’s positivity is absolutely contagious; when I hear him speak, I feel enlightened, comforted, inspired, and motivated. Jim definitely has a special gift.”
For those who want to live their lives in full expression, Phillips counsels them to begin by looking within themselves first. “Too often we measure ourselves against what other people are doing,” Phillips says. “But there is no right path or wrong path. There is your path. Follow it.”
Jim Phillips is a L.I.F.E. Strategist, author, speaker, and business coach who inspires others to higher levels of achievement and life fulfillment by helping them understand what has been misunderstood. He is author of The Key to L.I.F.E.: Living In Full Expression and From Inspiration to Intention. He also appeared as an expert in the movie Becoming the Keys.
To learn more coaching or speaking opportunities with Jim Phillips, visit livinginfullexpression.com.