If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What should I do with my life?”… you’re not alone.
More people than ever are searching for an answer to this question, reflecting a shared desire to find purpose and direction.
It’s not always easy to figure out, but these two steps (credit to Graham Weaver) can help:
Step 1: Imagine you can’t fail.
Fear of failure often stops people from living the life they’re meant to live.
Ask yourself: “If I couldn’t fail, what would I do for a living?”
This question encourages you to dream big, without limits. If you can find a clear answer, it’s a good sign that pursuing this path will bring you joy and fulfillment.
Your journey might not go exactly as planned (it rarely does), but years from now, you’ll be glad you took that first step.
Step 2: Identify what’s holding you back.
Ask yourself: “What’s stopping me from making this happen right now?”
This will uncover obstacles or beliefs holding you back. Then, turn those into action steps.
For example:
Let’s say you want to publish a book (been there, done that).
Obstacle 1: “I’m not a good writer.”
Action: Take a writing course or start a blog to practice.
Obstacle 2: “I don’t have time to write.”
Action: Reduce time spent on social media, watching TV or gaming, and dedicate an hour each evening to writing.
If you face another roadblock, like not knowing how to start a blog, simply add “Learn how to start a blog” to your to-do list.
Focus on one task at a time until it’s done. As you complete each step, the path toward your goal becomes clear.
Start small.
You don’t need to abandon your current responsibilities. You’ve got bills to pay, after all.
Instead, start small. Dedicate evenings or weekends to working on your dream, even if it’s just for a few hours each week.
If you’re unsure where to start.
If you don’t have a clear answer to the first question, these prompts might help:
- If money didn’t matter, what would you do or create?
- What feels like play to you but work to others?
- Who do you admire, and what do they do?
- What would your future self want you to do?
By breaking your dreams into manageable steps and taking consistent action, you’ll create your own answer to the question, “What should I do with my life?”.
