In our fast-paced world, the pursuit of accomplishments—whether it’s career milestones, financial success, or personal achievements—can become the driving force behind our actions. However, beneath the surface of these goals lies a deeper purpose: the connection we forge with others through shared, meaningful experiences. While achievements bring a sense of pride and validation, our true purpose transcends these tangible outcomes. At its core, purpose is about the heart’s journey to connect, inspire, and be present in a world that often prioritizes doing over being.
Achievement vs. Accomplishment: Defining the Difference
To understand this deeper sense of purpose, it’s crucial to differentiate between two commonly interchanged terms: achievement and accomplishment. While they may seem synonymous, they carry distinctly different meanings and implications for living a purpose-driven life.
An achievement is typically externally validated. It’s the completion of a task that requires effort and skill, often measured by a standard set by others. Achievements can include earning a degree, securing a promotion, or winning an award. These milestones are often recognized through metrics like grades or rankings and serve as stepping stones to further goals. However, they can sometimes drive a cycle where the focus is solely on “what’s next?”—often leaving little room for internal reflection or fulfillment.
In contrast, an accomplishment is more deeply connected to personal growth and self-fulfillment. It’s the result of pursuing intrinsic goals and is often characterized by resilience, self-improvement, and a sense of satisfaction from within. Unlike achievements, which often come with external validation, accomplishments bring a sense of contentment derived from the process itself. Think of learning to play an instrument purely for enjoyment or committing to a fitness journey for personal health and happiness. The reward is not the recognition but the journey and the person you become along the way.
Success: More Than a Destination
We often hear that “success is not a destination; it’s the journey.” This phrase is commonly attributed to Zig Ziglar. However, it’s repeated so often that, for many high achievers, it rings hollow. After all, if you’re focused solely on the journey, does that mean you aren’t achieving anything of real significance? This mentality often leads high achievers to dismiss the concept, pressing on toward their next goal without pause. For them, success is a string of achievements—one after another, often achieved at a relentless pace. But therein lies a problem: when high achievers reach their goals, they rarely take time to celebrate. They achieve and then swiftly move on, constantly chasing the next win without ever feeling a sense of true fulfillment.
The idea that “it’s about the journey” may not resonate with many because it’s more about who you become in the process rather than what you accomplish. I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on what success means to me. While it is certainly different for everyone and intrinsically difficult to describe, I would argue that it largely centers on who you become along the journey. However, even that transformation is shaped by something more.
I believe we all define success in our own ways, and it’s not necessarily something we must explain but something we are allowed to feel personally. Success isn’t about the things we desire; it’s about who we wish to become. And one element shapes that experience more than anything else: the people we surround ourselves with.
So, is the issue that high achievers don’t savor the journey enough? Perhaps. But I’d like to propose that it’s not simply a case of journey versus destination—it’s more nuanced. Success, and the fulfillment that comes with it, is not a dichotomy but a trichotomy.
The Trichotomy of Purpose: Journey, Destination, and Community
What if real purpose isn’t just about the journey or the destination but also the community we keep along the way? The truth is, to fully experience purpose, we must engage deeply in all three aspects:
- The Journey – The journey isn’t simply about the act of doing or working towards something; it’s about how the process shapes you, fosters growth, and who you become in the midst of it. Rather than just seeing the journey as a path to an end goal, consider how each step molds your character, deepens your understanding, and expands your capacity for connection. It’s not just about how far you go but who you grow into along the way.
- The Destination – Goals matter, and achieving them is important. But the destination should not be an isolated endpoint that overshadows the rest of your experiences. It’s an integral part of your life’s story, a marker that gives context to your journey and reinforces the person you are becoming. Celebrate it when you reach a destination—no matter how small or large—and allow it to enhance the way you connect with those around you.
- The Community – Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of purpose is the community you build and maintain. Who walks with you? Who supports you, shares your joys and burdens, and stands by your side? It’s not just about having people present in your life but about taking the time to truly connect, share experiences, and grow together. Your purpose is realized not in isolation but in relation to others. Taking time to nurture these relationships—whether they are with family, friends, mentors, or partners—elevates both you and those around you. The community you keep is the heart of the process, enriching both the journey and the destination. It is within these connections that the depth of your purpose is both found and felt.
Community: The Influence and Support to Grow
The Circle of Influence
When we talk about community, we are talking about the people who genuinely influence your life. This is your “circle of influence,” and it extends deeper than casual acquaintances. It includes those whose beliefs, actions, and mindsets directly affect your own.
Growing up, you may have been told to choose your friends wisely because “you become just like them.” There’s wisdom in that saying: the people you spend time with shape who you are. They influence your thoughts, habits, and, ultimately, your life’s trajectory.
For example, if you surround yourself with people who share the habits you want to cultivate—whether it’s a morning exercise routine, a commitment to self-improvement, or an optimistic outlook—you create an environment where those traits are normalized and more easily adopted. This idea of modeling behavior isn’t just about mimicking others; it’s about absorbing the mindsets and practices that lead to growth and success.
The Power of Support and Accountability
One of the greatest benefits of a strong community is support. When you’re surrounded by people who share your values or goals, there’s an implicit encouragement that keeps you accountable to your intentions. It’s easier to maintain habits that lead to growth and fulfillment when you know others are cheering you on and, at times, holding you accountable.
Your community not only encourages you but can also serve as a reality check. The right circle will challenge you when you’re falling short of your potential, help you see your blind spots, and provide guidance when you feel uncertain. This feedback loop, provided by those who have your best interests at heart, is vital for both personal and professional growth.
Learning Through Shared Experiences
Communities are fertile grounds for learning. The people in your circle carry a wealth of experiences, knowledge, and skills that you can learn from. Being part of a community means gaining access to different viewpoints and approaches, helping you grow beyond what you might achieve on your own.
Often, the fastest way to develop a new skill or achieve a goal is to learn from someone who has already done it. A strong community provides these opportunities through mentorship, shared wisdom, and collaborative problem-solving. This collective intelligence accelerates your own journey and allows for a more holistic approach to growth and fulfillment.
Shared Values and the Pursuit of Fulfillment
Another critical aspect of community is shared values. When you are part of a community that aligns with your beliefs and principles, it creates a sense of belonging and support that validates your own journey. It reinforces that your goals are worthy and that you are not alone in your pursuit.
Moreover, shared values provide motivation. When you see others striving for similar objectives or living out principles you admire, it inspires you to pursue those values with greater intention. Community fosters a sense of purpose, encouraging you to contribute not just to your own success but also to the well-being of others.
Elevating Through Collective Effort
The sum of a community is always greater than its parts. While individual effort is important, the collective power of a supportive group can elevate everyone within it. It’s a concept often seen in sports teams, professional networks, and social circles. When one person grows, others are inspired to elevate themselves as well. This creates a cycle of growth and improvement that benefits everyone involved.
By contributing to the growth of others, you in turn enrich your own journey. Supporting the aspirations of those in your circle builds stronger relationships and deepens your sense of connection and purpose. When a community comes together to celebrate successes, learn from failures, and support one another’s progress, everyone benefits, making the journey toward fulfillment all the more meaningful.
Realizing Purpose Through Connection and Intimacy
Purpose requires a deep relationship and intimacy with the trichotomy of journey, destination, and community. It’s about embracing the journey for its transformative power, appreciating the destination as a part of that transformation, and honoring the people who walk alongside you. Rather than viewing purpose as merely “the journey over the destination,” it’s a balanced and deeply connected experience of all three elements.
This is where community becomes the bridge between achievement and accomplishment. While achievements are the external milestones that mark your progress, community helps shape them into accomplishments—experiences that offer internal fulfillment and personal growth. Your community encourages you to celebrate not just what you’ve achieved but who you’ve become through those achievements.
When you give great care to those who care for you, you find that purpose is realized not in isolation but in shared experiences. The people you surround yourself with support and challenge you, transforming the path to each goal into a journey that’s more meaningful. They inspire reflection, hold you accountable to your highest values, and elevate every achievement into an accomplishment through shared growth and mutual support.
Take time with your community, grow with them, and rest in their company. It’s through these intentional connections that you find the space to breathe, reflect, and elevate not just yourself but also those around you. This intimacy with your circle makes the journey richer, the destination more meaningful, and the purpose more deeply felt. The strength of your community turns success into something beyond external validation—into a lasting sense of accomplishment rooted in growth, relationships, and shared purpose.
Cultivating a Life of Purposeful Connection
To truly live purposefully, it’s crucial to engage all three aspects of the trichotomy—journey, destination, and community. Here are some ways to start:
- Nurture Relationships Along the Journey – Take time to build and sustain meaningful connections with those who matter to you. Make space for shared experiences, be vulnerable, and allow yourself to grow alongside others. Recognize that the community you keep enriches both your journey and your destination.
- Embrace the Transformative Power of the Journey – Rather than simply viewing the journey as a path to success, see it as a process of transformation. Reflect on how each experience, challenge, and setback shapes who you are. Allow yourself to grow and learn from the journey, and understand that it’s as much about the “who” as the “what.”
- Celebrate the Destination Without Losing Sight of Connection – When you achieve a goal, celebrate it—but not in isolation. Bring those who supported you into that celebration. Recognize that the destination is not just yours; it’s a shared milestone. Let it be a moment that strengthens the bonds you’ve formed along the way.
Conclusion: Connecting Through Purposeful Living
Success in life is not merely a string of achievements but a journey of connection, growth, and shared experiences. To live with real purpose is to understand that fulfillment comes not just from what you do or achieve but from how deeply you connect with others.
So, as you go through your life, ask yourself: Are you nurturing relationships along your journey? Are you allowing yourself to be transformed by your experiences? And most importantly, are you elevating those around you as you grow? Real purpose is found in the space between journey, destination, and the community you build. Posture your heart toward meaningful connection, and you’ll find that life’s greatest successes are measured not by what you achieve but by the depth of your relationships and the impact you have on others.
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