Have you ever checked off all the boxes that were supposed to make you happy—good school, stable job, marriage, homeownership, financial security—only to find that happiness and fulfillment still feel out of reach? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us were handed a life equation from society, family, and tradition that promised happiness at the bottom line. But for many, that equation just isn’t adding up.

Why the Old Equation Fails

For generations, we were told that following a certain path—education, career, marriage, and financial security—would lead to happiness. And while this formula may have worked for previous generations, today’s world is vastly different. The pace of change is faster, opportunities and challenges look different, and personal fulfillment is becoming a higher priority.

But the biggest flaw in this equation? It wasn’t designed by you. It was given to you by someone else—your parents, teachers, society—and they got it from someone else before them. If you’re following a life plan that isn’t yours, how could it possibly bring you fulfillment?

The first step to breaking free from this outdated model is recognizing that it’s not working. And that’s okay. Because once you acknowledge this, you can start to redesign your own equation.

Life-Scaping: Designing a Life That Fits You

If the old formula isn’t working, it’s time to create a new one—one that actually leads to fulfillment, joy, and purpose. I call this process life-scaping—intentionally shaping your life in a way that aligns with who you truly are.

To start, ask yourself:

• Who am I?

• What do I want?

• How do I want to show up in the world?

• What do I want to be doing?

• How do I want to feel every day?

If you’ve never asked yourself these questions before, don’t worry. This process is about exploration, and there are no right or wrong answers.

The Three P’s: Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity

A good way to start crafting your new life equation is by focusing on the Three P’s:

1. Passion: What Brings You Joy?

What are the things that light you up? The activities that make time fly by? The moments when you feel most alive? Passion is a powerful guide—it shows us where joy naturally exists in our lives.

Ask yourself:

• What activities make me feel energized?

• What am I naturally curious about?

• When do I feel most engaged and present?

Once you identify your passions, start integrating more of them into your daily life—even in small ways. You don’t have to quit your job or make drastic changes overnight. Instead, focus on tipping the balance: Can you shift from spending 90% of your time on things you don’t enjoy to at least 51% on things that bring you joy?

2. Purpose: What Gives Your Life Meaning?

Purpose is about more than just passion—it’s about how you contribute to the world. It doesn’t have to be a grand, world-changing mission. It simply needs to be meaningful to you.

Consider:

• What impact do I want to have on the world, my community, or the people around me?

• What problems do I feel called to solve?

• What work would I do even if I weren’t paid for it?

Your purpose might be helping others, creating art, building businesses, or teaching. Whatever it is, it’s unique to you.

3. Prosperity: Defining Success on Your Terms

Most people associate prosperity with financial wealth, but it’s much more than that. True prosperity includes emotional well-being, meaningful relationships, inner peace, and a sense of abundance in all areas of life.

Ask yourself:

• What does a rich, fulfilling life look like for me?

• What kind of success do I actually care about?

• How do I define wealth beyond money?

When passion and purpose align, prosperity follows—because when you’re doing work that excites and fulfills you, success becomes a natural byproduct.

Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You

One of the hardest parts of this process is letting go of things that once worked but no longer serve you. Maybe it’s a career path, a relationship, or an old belief about success. Growth requires change, and change can be uncomfortable. But just like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, discomfort often precedes transformation.

Give yourself permission to evolve. Redefine your equation as often as needed. What worked in your 20s might not work in your 30s. What made sense in your 30s might not fit in your 40s. Life is dynamic, and so should be your approach to it.

Your New Equation Starts Now

If you’re feeling unfulfilled, it’s a sign that it’s time to create a new equation—one designed by you, for you.

Start small:

• Explore your passions.

• Identify what gives your life purpose.

• Define prosperity on your own terms.

• Let go of what no longer serves you.

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but every step you take brings you closer to a life that feels right—a life where happiness, fulfillment, and meaning are built into the equation from the start.

You don’t have to follow someone else’s path. You can create your own. And when you do, life opens up in ways you never imagined.