When Reality Meets Ideal

The present research investigated the short- and long-term relation between calling and life satisfaction and tested new mechanisms underlying this relation. Based on self-discrepancy theory and the calling model of career success, we assumed that people who are living their calling feel high self-congruence between their actual and ideal self and a high engagement orientation, which, in turn, enhances life satisfaction. In two studies, Study 1 with a cross-sectional design ( N = 235 professionals) and Study 2 with three points of measurement ( N = 248 nurses), we employed structural equation models to test our hypotheses as well as alternative models. Results showed that the realization of one’s calling in the world of employment affects not only a person’s current life satisfaction but also his or her life satisfaction measured 16 weeks later. Further, in both studies, the relation between calling and life satisfaction was mediated by self-congruence and engagement orientation. Implications for research and practice are discussed.