The modern world provides a person with a huge number of opportunities to find his calling and make his deepest dreams come true. Another thing is how not to get confused and determine the right direction of activity from which you can receive both moral and material rewards?!
As one of the wisest said: “Find something you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” This mysterious phrase haunts many who have at least once wondered: “How to determine what I want from life?” The answer to this question may lie in plain sight. But a person goes so far into philosophical reflection and self-searching that he loses all the threads that lead to his own skills and desires.
Free yourself from boundaries and follow your desires
This is perhaps the most difficult way to figure out what to do in life. As practice shows, not every person can do this.
And here there is no need to try to be ironic and ask the question: “What if I don’t want to do anything at all?” This is about something else. About the fact that you can turn an attractive field of activity into a source of income.
This is about business. This is an option for strong people. For those who will not look for excuses like these: “But I don’t have start-up capital or connections!”
Hundreds of entrepreneurs have already proven that the main thing is to have an idea and desire. So that you don't want anything else. So that it is like air. And then a person can do everything. Including freeing yourself from the framework and following your desire - doing what you love, which brings pleasure, and enjoying a prosperous life.
But what the business will be like is an individual question. Again, as practice shows, any idea “processed” by the sharp and strategic mind of an enterprising person can become profitable.
“What are you doing at home now?” — what to answer when asked: list of answers
“What are you doing at home now?”
The answer to the question “What are you doing at home now” often depends on whether the owner of the house wanted to hear the caller, whether he was waiting for his call and what kind of relationship exists between them. If the question comes from an unpleasant acquaintance, you can joke so that he forgets the phone number. If you like a person, you can start flirting with him. Here are the answer options when asked - a list:
- I'm drawing your portrait. By the way, will you come and pick it up from me? (sympathy).
- I'm hiding a treasure. Can you help me?
- I am really busy. I am discussing an economic development plan with the president. Do you have something urgent?
- I shoot frogs from a satellite. Sorry if I accidentally hit you.
- I'm making goulash for aliens. That's why I can't talk for long. If you want to discuss something, come to us. You'll try it at the same time. Do not want? And why?
You can come up with many other interesting options. One way or another, just saying nothing or saying that you are watching TV will be too simple and boring.
If there is no preference
It's a little more complicated here. Many people are puzzled by the question of how to figure out what to do in life, because they simply do not know in what area they can prove themselves.
A simple exercise that may even seem stupid to some will help here. You just need to free up 2 hours, sit down at the table, write down absolutely all your skills, abilities, abilities, talents and qualities in a notebook.
Then, after resting, you need to study the resulting list with fresh eyes and “try on” the most suitable areas of activity. Perhaps one of them will spark enthusiasm.
You can do it another way - write down areas of activity and everything that a person is at least slightly interested in or fascinated by. It could even be a stream of thoughts. After resting, you will need to analyze what you have written and cross out what seems outright nonsense. It’s already simpler: there is a certain basis and direction.
Search for patterns
How to understand what to do in life? You have to be logical. Again, you will need some free time and a notepad. It is recommended to write down your 20 favorite activities there. Even if they seem banal (let's say eating delicious food).
The finished list should be carefully studied. Are there any patterns to it? Maybe several activities are interconnected? Sometimes people don’t even notice that their hobbies, which they have been pursuing for several years, belong, in fact, to the same field.
So you need to think and break the resulting list into groups. For what? This will help a person understand what kind of life he wants to live.
Search from reverse
Another simple and interesting way that can help you understand what is really worth doing in life. Many people actually find it easier to answer the question of what they don't want.
But even here you will need a list for visualization. You need to take a notebook and write down all the areas of activity and professions that a person would never engage in in his life.
And here honesty is important. His current profession should also be on the list if it does not suit him.
Having such a list, it is indeed much easier to identify your aptitudes for certain areas of activity.
What to do in life, how to find yourself
To successfully find something to do in life, psychologists advise discarding all extraneous thoughts and criticism, and initially turning on intuition, creative thinking and a flow of fantasy. Make a list of everything you enjoy doing, just write it down without judging how realistic or useful it is. Even activities that you have never done before, but were somehow attracted or interested in, are great. This could be conducting scientific activities and blowing soap bubbles, washing cats and calculating thermal conductivity, makeup and shopping, sleeping and swimming - everything that brings you joy or satisfaction, add it to the list without any criticism. There is no need to immediately write down suitable options, but such a listing will eventually help you find your occupation.
You should not list what is considered accepted, useful or approved if it does not please you personally. The pleasure list is directly related to finding oneself, and the necessity list is directly related to ensuring the well-being of others. Do not try to consider each item as the work of your whole life - this greatly narrows your search and slows down your activity. Successful and happy people have from 7 to 15 sustainable interests, sometimes in completely different areas. You can then combine them or separate them by time. But under no circumstances should you remove it, because every joyful activity brings you closer to the truth of your existence, gives you energy and reveals your potential.
Start doing what you previously wanted to do, but were afraid of or where you failed. If you remain interested in a certain area for a long time, then it is quite possible that this is exactly what you need to do in life, and failures are provoked by fear. Excessive anxiety, pedantry, the desire to do everything in the best possible way can paralyze anyone the first time. Perform new activities playfully, do not put the need for the result above the process, and also do not forget to ask for help from those who have been doing similar things for a long time.
Every morning, create an image of your desired life. Moreover, it is important that these thoughts include the period of the present day, in a year and in ten years - this represents a global perspective and does not allow you to miss the joy of each moment. The image should be as complete as possible and reflect all areas. That is, in relation to yourself, you must understand how you want to look (from the color of your hair to the material of your socks), what kind of health you have, how much sleep, what to eat.
Regarding your mental and emotional state, it is important to understand whether you are striving for calm, sudden changes or saturation. Activities include sports achievements, work process, relaxation (time, place, preparation), meetings with friends and much more. Everything should appear in your imagination in as much detail as possible, then the next day can become closer to the dream, since then the brain will automatically look for conditions and the possibility of fulfilling daily wishes and promising options for long-term plans.
Pay attention to your abilities and combine this with interest. You can even take appropriate tests, the results of which, however, will require your modification. Having usually received a career guidance, it needs to be reworked taking into account your tastes. For example, a person with mathematical abilities will be offered the roles of a teacher or accountant, but this does not preclude participation in specialized quizzes or the choice of vacancies in pastry shops (if you have a sweet tooth). Focus on your own pleasure, which arises at the intersection of the possibility of self-realization, the use of your own talents and the satisfaction of personal interest.
Maximum development!
Unfortunately, many people not only cannot understand what to do in life and how to find themselves, they even find it difficult to make the notorious lists. In this case, they have no other choice: they will have to develop.
Nothing leads to a dead end more than a closed space, lack of dynamics in life, the same social circle, and routine.
The best way to avoid this is to travel. As often as possible and over maximum distances. Not to the next city, but to the other side of the world. Each trip provides a guaranteed burst of energy. A person sees how and what people live, what they do, what hobbies they enjoy, etc.
What will this give? Food for thought, emotions and, most importantly, boundless inspiration. And it, as you know, is characterized by the highest productivity, unprecedented concentration of forces and enormous spiritual uplift. In such a state a person is capable of much.
Most people understand what is best to do in life when they are in such euphoria. And they begin to act. Inspiration frees you from unnecessary thoughts and pushes you to take concrete steps. There is no need to be afraid of traveling and look for excuses from doing it - perhaps your next trip will be a turning point in your life.
Reading
How to determine what to do in life if there are no thoughts in your head at all? We must “absorb” literature.
Do I need to explain the benefits of reading? Unfortunately, nowadays, yes. Here's what reading books does:
- Increased creativity.
- Expanding your horizons.
- Improving fantasy and imagination.
- Erudition, and hence - self-confidence.
- Increasing literacy, expanding vocabulary.
- Improved attention.
- Development of thinking and memory.
- Improving communication and empathy skills.
A reading person has his own worldview, a deep view of the world, high values, principles and beliefs. Plus, some books are powerful motivators! Many people were inspired to self-realization by literature.
Communication
It is advisable to communicate with successful people. Why? Because a loser and a successful person have qualitative differences in their way of thinking. And that's it. When communicating with a loser, a person will plunge into pessimism and complaints about a bad life. Where does the desire to change something in your life for the better come from?
But a successful person, being a motivated, strong, purposeful person, radiates special energy and positivity. And he doesn’t complain, because it’s a pointless thing that doesn’t bring the slightest benefit.
A few minutes of communication with such a person is enough to recharge with optimism and the desire to act. In addition, you can learn from a successful person effective ways to interact with the world. And being next to him, you yourself want to develop.
// Think big
Think about who you want to remain in history: what will your grandchildren say about you, will they write about you in a textbook. You don't have to want it, but you can try.
Maybe you want to open a relief fund, create a vaccine, paint a great picture, come up with a story that will remain in the hearts of people? You really can do all this, just start right now and work with all your heart.
Can you imagine how simple it is?
All that remains is to decide who you want to become. If self-determination is difficult, then read our article “Which mountain are you climbing?”
Leaving your comfort zone
As practice shows, people who ask the question “What do I want to do in life?” either have not tried themselves in any field of activity, or have always been involved in only one professional field.
What should be done? Get out of your comfort zone. It's difficult, not everyone can do it. Many would rather continue to sit at home and complain about life than get an internship. Because in their comfort zone they feel psychologically protected. That is, safe.
This is stability to the detriment of self-deception. Standing still is comparable to degradation. If a person does not solve complex problems, then he loses clarity of thinking. The next stage is the abandonment of life goals. The result is a meaningless existence.
And besides, how can you figure out what you want to do if you don’t try?
What threatens you on the way to yourself?
Fatigue and apathy
You will start a new life, taking on a business that interests you, and at first you will experience enthusiasm and a surge of strength, after which an emotional decline may follow. You will feel tired, indifferent and think that you made a mistake, that you chose the wrong one. Don't doubt your choice. Just take a little break and continue what you started. As soon as the first results appear, self-confidence will immediately return.
Fear
Sometimes fear and self-doubt prevent you from doing something interesting. A person knows what his calling is, but he does not dare to make drastic changes in his life, for fear of making a mistake. Fear is a natural feeling in this case, but you need to step over it. Remember that the same fears overwhelmed those who achieved real success, but they managed to overcome themselves. If you are unable to cope with your worries, consult a psychologist.
Stereotypes of thinking
Learn to act and live the way you want, and not as public opinion dictates. If you follow established principles in everything, then you can say goodbye to the dream of self-expression. In our society, sudden changes in activity and search for oneself are not encouraged. You found your niche in your youth - and sit in it. Your parents, spouses, and friends will discourage you from making drastic changes. Don't listen to them - listen to yourself.
Refusal to copy
Another important point. How to find what you like? Stop living someone else's life and copying someone, start listening to your desires and thinking with your own head.
It's a classic, you might say. A person gets into a profession because it is popular or has prestigious status. He gets a job in one company or another because it is engaged in relevant activities. He is trying himself in a field that is now gaining momentum.
So, all this can be justified and profitable, but only if a person is drawn to all of the above! For desire is of great importance. And if a person acts on the principle “it’s just popular now,” then, of course, he will not feel like a fish out of water.
What we need to understand is that one person’s experience is not suitable for another. Views differ, and that's normal. Everyone has their own path. And you have to go through it yourself from beginning to end.
How to find your purpose in life
Purpose can be remembered, created, found or invented. This category changes in relation to what a person experiences in his own life and how far he has moved from his original positions. Quite often there are situations when at a young age a person knows where to strive, what he wants, ideas about his own mission are clear and clear. This is all lost under the influence of others who force the individual to live as prescribed, not to go beyond the invented norms and gradually stop responding to signals from the inner voice.
Awareness of purpose gives a sense of the meaning of life, its fullness, and is reflected in satisfaction with one’s activities and achievements, the path along which a person moves. If you have lost your own purpose, help someone else find yourself in life, preferably teenagers and young men. Many ideas, lively excitement and a sincere interest in life can inspire you, especially if you carry out a truly joint search - this will make it possible to remove many long-standing prohibitions.
In order to find your purpose, psychologists advise devaluing the ideas that caring relatives and teachers put into your head. There will be a lot of pressure to go through because no one likes change, especially if you previously lived according to someone else's instructions. Turning on moderate egoism and completely immersing yourself in studying your desires and following them is what is required at the initial stage. Work on your self-esteem and level of acceptance - you need to create conditions in which you will become as satisfied as possible with yourself and life. The phrase about the need for self-love is heard from all possible sources, and it makes sense in the search for purpose. Because the more a person strives to change himself, the more artificial and not his own life he lives. Having a high level of acceptance of the place where you are, caring for that body, which now allows you to get closer to finding your true path.
Finding out your characteristics and desires is necessary, but soul-searching and excessive reflection will be unnecessary. Leave only the facts and take them into account when choosing goals and situations - this will help you find your purpose. But in addition to researching your existing assets, you need to supplement your experience with constant new knowledge and experiences. It is impossible to find out about the vocation of catching crocodiles if you do not know about the existence of these animals. Read, go to exhibitions, take an interest in scientific programs and news not from the criminal world, but from the progressive side of human development. In general, it is optimal to restructure your brain into a mode of searching for new interests and pleasures, as well as synthesizing existing ones into new forms - this is how you get absolutely unique directions.
Identify the areas of your life that inspire you. It could be family or work, hobbies or studies - everything that gives you positive emotions and makes you move on. Develop this and watch for the counterpoints that cause loss of energy and feelings of apathy. Such unproductive parts should not be simply thrown out of life, as they may be significant, but the discomfort needs to be transformed into positivity. If there is a lot of stress from being at home, think about maybe you need to do some renovations, buy a comfortable bed, or communicate more with your family so as not to feel like a stranger. If it’s very difficult at work, then maybe you should reconsider your relationships with colleagues, ask for help, or switch to a different schedule.
First the goal, then the path
A very interesting tactic, but not suitable for everyone. Why do you need to do anything at all? There are a lot of reasons - self-realization, the desire to feel useful and belong to an important cause, the need for respect, etc.
But all this is not as important as the goal. Everything a person does is done for the sake of something. Therefore, you need to decide - what do you want to end up with? What is the motivation? What's the incentive? Having determined the goal, it will be possible to build a path to it and look for opportunities. And it will be much easier than before.
Because motivation is the “engine” for a person. Wanting something as badly as breathing when there is a lack of oxygen underwater, he is ready to do anything. And there is no longer time to look for excuses, laziness, a waste of time.
There is a goal. And life turns into a quest to achieve it. And a person realizes: every small step forward brings him closer to it. That’s why it’s much better than standing still.
