What Should I Do With My Life?

fayt · **on:** June 22, 2013, 07:48:14 PM

Do you understand what drives you?

More and more now I'm seeing people getting stuck in a rut, feeling lost, or losing a sense of where they are going in life. It comes up in conversations all the time when talking about passions, ambitions, life goals, etc. Most people keep asking this question of 'What should i do with my life?'

I'm finding this lack of direction can manifest itself in people from all walks of life, not just those sick of the 9-5 routine, but it can also effect those planning their retirement, or young people taking their first steps out of education, school, college, and university, and not having a clue of what they want to do.

I've read a lot of books on the subject, as well as worked with different models aimed at helping people discover their purpose and drive. The main theme that occurs to me, is that people want to be happy. Now, I sort of take this as a given, as I'm sure nearly everyone wants happiness in life, but I think it's important to delve a little deeper, and really explore your own passions and dreams. When making plans, I think it's good to start with discovering what 'excites' you?

1. When was the last time I was really excited?

Ask yourself that question. Have a real good think, and make sure you think of a specific time. Once you remember one, think about what you were doing when you were experiencing that excitement. Ask yourself 'what was this behaviour an example of?' Were you helping someone? Were you learning? Were you pushing your boundaries? What were you doing?

2. What do I love so much, that I would pay someone else to do it?

This may seem a bit strange at first, but note down everything that comes up. Really consider the question.

3. Who are your role models?

It's also good to think about who your role models and hero's are, and also think of role models from your past, through your teens, twenties, which one's stand out? What is it about them that you admire? What qualities do they have which you would like for yourself, what qualities do you share?

4. What to do you value in life?

Keeping in mind your answers to the previous questions, think about your values about life, ask yourself 'What is important to me in life?' Note down whatever comes up, you should be looking out for things such as happiness, fun, excitement, passion etc rather than specific things or possessions. Once you have got your list, making sure everything that has come up is noted down, make a list of the 5 most important values you hold, 1 being the highest, down to 5 being the least important. Really make sure they are your top 5.

5. Explore your answers

By now, you will have explored many things that will be leading towards your purpose and drive. Explore each of your answers to the previous questions and create some goals around how you are going to achieve them. For example, if when answering the questions it came up that you were last excited when you were learning something new, and that you really love listening to music; your role models were passionate and kind, and your highest values were that of happiness and fun. Set yourself some goals around what you could do in the next 6 months to achieve those things. What activities could you try out? Could you go on a new course? Visit an exhibition? What goals could you set yourself to move forward towards what's important to you in life.

6. Create some goals

Most of all, have fun exploring what makes you, you. Creating goals and planning can be a really enjoyable experience, and it's also a step many miss out in structuring their lives. I like to set goals for the next 6 months, next year, and next 2-5 years. Remember, your goals can change any time, it's about the directions you're setting yourself which is important.

7. Take action

Now you have these goals, it's time to take action and create the first steps towards achieving them. Start today! Write down a list of actual steps you can take today to move forward in progressing your goals, and do them now. Once complete you can feel proud of yourself, and feel excited that you've taken the first steps in changing your life.

credit to source

My Board · « **on:** June 22, 2013, 07:48:14 PM »

¿m☺ÿ · **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2013, 05:18:27 PM

nice post sir, thanks for sharing....
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fayt · **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2013, 05:38:30 PM

Quote from: imoy on June 24, 2013, 05:18:27 PM

nice post sir, thanks for sharing....
$:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$