How to Figure out What to Do in Life
Deciding what Matters and Defining Ways to Accomplish Goals
Jan 5, 2009
Certain people seem to be born knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives. They appear to be naturally self-motivated, engaged with the path their existence is taking and passionate about achieving their goals.
Many other individuals, however, spend many years not realizing any dreams. They can't decide what they are good at, they fear failure or success, or they are accomplished at multiple things but can't narrow their pursuits down to a more achievable, overarching aim.
Ask three simple yet essential questions to decide what matters in life and to determine what goals should be quested for. In such a way one can figure out what to do with the single, precious and often complex life one has.
What Interested Me When I Was a Child?
Most children have interests, dreams, passions, goals. Whether it be to succeed as a figure skater or an actor, to fly to the moon or to be a cowboy, children are usually clear and forthright in expressing their ambitions. As people become adults, they can deny themselves these dreams.
Whether it's because they feel they must earn a more secure living, because they've been discouraged by influential individuals, or because their ambitions now seem like silly fantasies, people give up on their original aims.
If they allow themselves to daydream a bit, then those initial desires usually return. There is truth in these visions of childhood. Perhaps one can't realize those goals in exactly the imagined fashion but the imagination can lead the way to a version of these early hopes.
What am I Skilled or Talented at?
Everyone has skills and talents. Some have more earning potential and some have less. Regardless, being true to the abilities one has been given will lead to success. Truly examine all personal qualities. Listening skills could mean that an individual would be an effective counsellor or psychologist. The ability to care for those who suffer might lead to a career as a nurse, doctor or veterinarian.
Artistic talents in writing, painting, sculpture, film, acting, dance and other arts could lead an individual to teach these abilities as well as to practice them. These talents can also direct one to fields such as advertising, fitness instruction, home decorating, set design, and landscaping. Define the ability and then determine which direction it should take.
Am I Capable of Making the Necessary Sacrifices to Attain my Goals?
All decisions in life that matter entail struggle. Whether it's the investment of necessary funds, the expenditure of countless hours of an individual's time, the output of immense amounts of energy or giving up other aspects of life that aren't, in the end, as important, sacrifices are always made.
Individuals that try to make their lives as comfortable and safe as possible rarely achieve their goals. An element of risk is always a factor in pursuing one's passions. Everyone feels fear and anxiety when taking risks. However, the worst thing that can happen is momentary failure. One can always try again.
The worst option in life is not to attempt anything at all out of fear. If one is willing to chance defeat and sacrifice lesser aims, then one's passion will almost always pay off, leading to a fulfilled existence.
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