What Should I Do With My Life? A Practical Guide to Finding Your Path

June 2, 2024

Introduction: The Urge for More – Understanding Your Discontent

Before we dive into the 3 steps, here’s a super simple hack: Think about a struggle that was overcome in the past, and then help others do the same. It doesn’t have to be related to work, but it will definitely bring a lot of meaning and fulfillment to life.

Most people actually know what they want to do (at least in a general sense), but there are fears, self-doubts, and excuses getting in the way. It’s not about finding THE ONE RIGHT THING, it’s about finding A RIGHT THING (of which, there are multitudes, btw.) So, my friend, are you willing to let go of your limiting stories and excuses about why you cannot possibly know what you want to do, and open yourself to the prospect that somewhere within you, clarity already exists? I hope you answered yes. Because guess what? There are many right options for you and your life.

Life is all about trial and error. Pick something that seems right and exciting, and see where it takes you. Just do your best with the information you have. Steps 2 and 3 will show how to gather the best info to find what suits you best. Exploring new things inside and outside the business will lead to the next adventure, whatever that may be.

Step 1: Busting Limiting Beliefs – First, Get Out of Your Own Way

To move forward in life, the first hurdle you need to overcome is yourself. Often, the stories we tell ourselves and the beliefs we hold can be our biggest obstacles. These limiting beliefs can keep us stuck in a cycle of doubt and inaction. Recognizing these patterns and consciously working to change them is crucial in your journey to discovering what you should do with your life.

It’s entirely normal to have limiting beliefs. Everyone has them. But the key difference between those who move forward and those who remain stuck lies in their ability to challenge and transform these beliefs.

Recognizing Your Internal Narratives: The thoughts you repeat to yourself, like “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t know what I want,” or “I can’t do that,” are powerful narratives shaping your reality. Start paying attention to these thoughts and write them down.
Resetting Your Internal Narratives: Once you’ve identified these limiting thoughts, it’s time to challenge them. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” Often, these beliefs are not based on facts but fear. Replace them with more empowering thoughts like, “I am capable,” “I can figure it out,” or “It’s okay to not have all the answers right now.”
The Danger of Overthinking and Analysis Paralysis: Many people get stuck in a loop of overthinking, trying to gather every bit of information before making a move. The truth is, you’ll never have all the information. Take action with the knowledge you have now, and learn as you go. It’s far better to make progress imperfectly than to be perfect and stuck.
Exercise: Identifying Your Current Limiting Beliefs: Spend 10 minutes writing down every doubt and fear you have about your future. Then, challenge each one. For example, if you write, “I don’t have enough experience,” counter it with, “But I can gain experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time work.”

By recognizing and challenging your limiting beliefs, you’ll start to clear the mental clutter that holds you back. You’ll create space for new, positive narratives that propel you forward. This mindset shift is the first crucial step in figuring out what you should do with your life.

Step 2: Discover Yourself – Knowing Your Strengths, Values, and Interests

Now that you’ve addressed your limiting beliefs, it’s time to dive deep into understanding who you are. This step is all about self-discovery and gaining insights into your strengths, values, and interests. Knowing these key aspects of yourself will provide a foundation upon which you can build a fulfilling career and life.

How to Identify and Rank Your Core Values: Your values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your actions and decisions. Start by thinking about what’s most important to you in life. Is it freedom, creativity, security, adventure, or something else? Write down all the values that resonate with you, then narrow it down to your top 3-5 values. Example: if the experience that comes to mind for you is hiking by yourself in Thailand, some of the values might be independence, travel, adventure, and freedom.
The Overlap Between Strengths and Passions: Look at what you’re naturally good at and what you genuinely enjoy doing. Your strengths are often activities or skills that come easily to you and provide you with energy. Similarly, your passions are the subjects or activities that you love. To find this overlap, list out all your strengths and interests and see where they intersect. For instance, if you’re good at organizing and enjoy working on creative projects, project management in a creative industry could be a good fit.
Exercise: Defining Your Top 3-5 Values: Reflect on a moment in your life when everything felt perfect. Write about the experience in detail and identify the values that were being fulfilled at that time. This exercise will help you pinpoint what’s truly important to you. For example, if you felt happiest during a solo travel adventure, your values might include independence, exploration, and self-discovery.
Documentaries, Blogs, and Books: To further understand what you care about, consider the media you consume. What types of documentaries, blogs, newspaper articles, and books capture your attention? These interests can give you clues about the challenges and opportunities you care about in the world.
Exercise: Strengths Inventory: List out your top strengths. If you’re unsure, ask friends and family what they think you excel at or take a strengths assessment test. Next, reflect on past jobs, volunteer experiences, and hobbies to identify the skills you’ve used and enjoyed.
Identify Challenges/Opportunities You Care About: Think about the issues that matter to you on a global, national, or local level. Write down these challenges and explore how they align with your strengths and values. For example, if you’re drawn to the topic of health, you might identify challenges such as obesity or mental health and think about opportunities like public health education or wellness coaching.

By understanding your strengths, values, and interests, you’ll have a clearer idea of the types of careers and roles that will bring you fulfillment. This self-awareness will guide you in making choices that align with who you are and what you believe in, setting you on a path toward a more coherent and satisfying life.

Step 3: Take Action – Embrace Experimentation and Risks

By now, you’ve identified your limiting beliefs and gained a deeper understanding of your strengths, values, and interests. The next step is crucial: taking action. Often, people wait for perfect clarity before making a move, but the reality is that clarity frequently comes from action. Experimentation and risk-taking are essential to finding your path and understanding what resonates with you.

Why Clarity Often Follows Action: Many people mistakenly believe that they need to have everything figured out before they start. However, it’s usually through taking steps–even uncertain ones–that you gain the clarity you seek. For instance, you may think you want to work in a certain industry, but it’s only by actually working in it that you find out if it’s truly the right fit for you.
How to Prototype Different Career Paths: Treat your career exploration like a series of experiments. This might involve internships, volunteer opportunities, or side gigs. The goal is to test various paths with minimal risk and see what you like and don’t like. For example, if you’re curious about digital marketing, you could start by helping a small business with their social media on a part-time basis.
Case Studies: Stories of Risk-Taking Leading to Fulfillment: Inspirational stories can be incredibly motivating. Consider the numerous people who have taken risks and found fulfilling careers as a result. For example, someone might have left a corporate job to start their own business or moved to a new city for a job in a completely different industry. These stories show that risks, when taken thoughtfully, can lead to amazing outcomes.
Exercise: Brainstorm Action Steps: What are some immediate, tangible actions you can take to start experimenting with your potential career paths? Write down at least three actions, such as signing up for a course, applying for a part-time job, or reaching out to someone in your desired field for an informational interview.
Networking and Informational Interviews: Talking to people who are already working in the fields you’re interested in can provide invaluable insights. Schedule meetings to learn about their experiences, what they love, and what challenges they face. Use this information to guide your own decision-making process.
Continual Learning and Skill Development: Sometimes, the path forward requires new skills. Look into online courses, workshops, or certifications that can help you develop the skills you need for the careers you’re interested in. Remember, learning is a continuous process and will always serve you well.
Mini-Experiments with Minimal Risk: Conduct small-scale tests of your ideas to see how they work out. For example, if you’re considering a career in graphic design, start by taking a few freelance projects. These mini-experiments help you gather valuable data without the risk of making huge commitments.

By taking action, you open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities that you couldn’t have imagined from a standstill. Embrace the journey, take risks, and understand that each step brings you closer to discovering what you should do with your life. The beauty of this process is that even the missteps and failures are growth opportunities, guiding you toward a path that truly resonates with who you are.

Maintaining Momentum – Rinse, Repeat, and Refine

By now, you’ve taken significant steps toward understanding yourself and exploring possible paths. But the journey doesn’t stop here. In fact, one of the most important aspects of discovering what to do with your life is the ability to maintain momentum. This involves continually reassessing, experimenting, and refining your approach as you gain new insights and experiences.

The Ongoing Nature of Personal and Professional Growth: Personal and professional growth is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. You will need to keep evolving as you learn more about yourself and the world around you. Accept that your goals and interests may change over time, and that’s perfectly normal. Embrace this fluidity as a part of your journey.
Exercise: Setting Short-term and Long-term Goals: Periodically take the time to set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals help you stay on track day-to-day, while long-term goals give you a broader vision to work towards. Examples of short-term goals could be learning a new skill or completing a mini-project related to your career interests. Long-term goals might include running your own business, achieving a work-life balance, or embarking on a significant career change.
Staying Flexible and Open to New Opportunities: Flexibility is key to navigating life’s twists and turns. Be open to new opportunities and willing to pivot when needed. No journey is linear, and sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones you didn’t initially plan for. For example, a side project might turn into a new career focus, or a conversation with a mentor might open doors you hadn’t considered.
Exercise: Regular Self-Reflection: Make it a habit to regularly reflect on your experiences and progress. Dedicate time each week or month to sit down and assess what’s working, what’s not, and what adjustments need to be made. Ask yourself questions like: What have I learned this month? What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them? What new opportunities have come up, and how can I explore them?
Embracing a Growth Mindset: Cultivating a growth mindset allows you to see challenges as opportunities for learning rather than setbacks. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and view failures as stepping stones to success. This mindset will keep you motivated and resilient as you continue on your path.
Connecting with a Community: Surround yourself with a supportive community, whether it’s friends, mentors, or networks in your field of interest. These connections can provide valuable feedback, encouragement, and different perspectives that help you stay motivated and inspired.
Documenting and Revisiting Your Journey: Keep a journal or create a digital document where you track your goals, actions, and reflections. Reviewing this periodically will provide you with insights into your growth and remind you of how far you’ve come. It’s a valuable tool for maintaining momentum and consistency.

Remember, the goal is not to achieve a perfect, unchanging state of clarity. Rather, it’s about continually learning and adapting as you grow. Life is an ongoing process of self-discovery and refinement. By staying committed to this process and being kind to yourself along the way, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction in both your personal and professional life.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey – It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

You’ve journeyed through understanding your discontent, busting limiting beliefs, discovering your strengths and values, taking action, and maintaining momentum. Now, it’s crucial to embrace the ultimate truth: this is an ongoing journey. The path to figuring out what to do with your life is not about arriving at a final destination but about continuous growth and movement.

Recap of the 3-Step Process: We started by challenging the limiting beliefs that hold you back. Then, we delved deep into identifying your core values, strengths, and interests. Finally, we emphasized the importance of taking actionable steps and maintaining momentum through constant reassessment and exploration. Each step builds upon the other, creating a holistic approach to self-discovery and career fulfillment.
Acknowledging the Unpredictability of Life: Life is inherently unpredictable. No one has a perfectly linear path, and that’s part of its beauty. Embrace the unexpected opportunities and challenges as integral parts of your personal and professional growth. Remember that some of the most rewarding experiences come from moments of uncertainty and change.
Encouragement to Keep Moving Forward: You’ve already demonstrated a commitment to finding clarity by engaging with this process. Trust in your ability to navigate the ups and downs. Each small step you take brings you closer to understanding what fulfills you, even if it doesn’t feel like it immediately. Keep moving, keep experimenting, and keep refining your approach.
Celebrating Small Wins: Don’t wait for monumental achievements to celebrate your progress. Each small win is a step forward, whether it’s gaining a new skill, making a meaningful connection, or having a breakthrough moment of self-awareness. Celebrate these moments as they signify your growth and momentum.
Revisiting Your Goals and Adjusting as Needed: Periodically revisit the goals and plans you’ve set for yourself. Adjust them based on new insights, experiences, and shifts in your interests or circumstances. Flexibility and adaptability are critical to navigating your life’s journey effectively.
Practicing Self-compassion: Be kind to yourself throughout this journey. Acknowledge that it’s okay to have uncertainties, make mistakes, and change directions. Self-compassion will sustain your motivation and resilience, helping you persevere through challenges with grace.
Leveraging Support Networks: Seek support and feedback from mentors, friends, and peers who can provide diverse perspectives and encouragement. Engaging with a community enhances your journey, offering both inspiration and practical advice.

The quest to figure out what to do with your life is a lifelong endeavor, filled with learning, growth, and transformation. By embracing the process, staying open to change, and continually seeking alignment between your values, strengths, and actions, you’ll create a life that is not only successful but deeply fulfilling.

I acknowledge you for making it this far, my dear reader. This tells me you’re truly committed to feeling fulfilled, actualized, and satisfied in your life. Not everyone has the freedom or privilege to explore their desires deeply, so let’s not take our opportunities for granted. Embrace the journey, commit to the process, and take the next step forward with confidence and curiosity.

Hope to see you soon and best of luck on your journey!