How to decide what to do with my life?

[samjhudson]

Hey people,

Don't know if this is the right kind of forum for thi question, but I'm posting out of a kind of desperation so please have patience with me...

I'm 24, have an okish admin job {which bores me to tears} and consider myself to be capable of far more. The only problem is I don't know which direction to take my life. I've been reading self help books and listening to tapes by people like Tony Robbins, John Demartini and Brian Tracey for about 2 years and I've made some great improvements in my life {lost 70 lbs, gave up smoking, took up martial arts and greatly improved my relationship with my long suffering girlfriend} but feel as though a huge chunk of my life is missing. This brings me to my question - How exactly do I determine what I want to do with my life? I've seen my father almost kill himself to succeed in a job he hates in order to retire comfortably and am terrified that I'm destined to do the same. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than this is jumping from job to job all my life and never making it past entry level.

I've read some great posts on this site, from some seemingly very knowledgable people, so I thought I'd turn this one over to you guys. Any advice, even if I won't like hearing it, will be greatly appreciated, taken on board and considered

many thanks in advance

Sam

[cdn2wheeler]

This sort of existential angst - "What is the meaning in my life? What am I supposed to do with my existence?" - is very, very common. Many people go through their entire lives with that question hovering like the sword of Damocles over their head (go look it up, I'll wait).

I don't pretend to have any of the answers - alas, alas - but I can point you to a place which might help answer some of these questions. Take a look here and here.

The most important bits, at least as I see it, refer to the fact that there is no single definitive answer. There are times when doing a mind-numbing, dull and repetitive job is important to help develop patience and character. Then there are times when you need to throw off the shackles and take huge risks. Then there are times when you're better off being comfortable doing what you're doing because continual striving can lead to continual stress and disappointment.

Lastly, in the immortal words of Douglas Campbell, Follow your bliss.

[Mitalp]

Sam,

First of all your focusing on what you DON'T want. You don't want to end up like your father.

You need to ask yourself a few questions and get very clear on them.

What are you passionate about? What moves you? What excites you?

What did you dream of doing when you were a kid? This question many times can answer the question about what you life purpose is. Why? Because the imagination that we had when we were children spawned form an unconditioned mind, before we took on so many limiting beliefs, of what we are and are not capable of. Before we started letting what was EXPECTED of us, dictate the course of our life.

Use your imagination. Don't try to figure it out, let it come to you. Be conscious of what you day dream about and what excites you.


Here's an exercise you can try:

1. sit or lay down in a comfortable position, in quiet place.
2. relax your mind and body.
3. ask yourself, "What do I want?"
4. Let your mind go to work, let you imagination paint pictures.

Don't try to force or chase the answer to this question, but allow it to come to you. Do it over and over again everyday until it comes to you, and it will come to you. It may not come while your doing this exercise, it will probably hit you when you least expect it. When it does come, you'll know it, you'll have the feeling of "This is IT!"

It's great that you are asking this question and that you realize your potential is far greater than working an admin job. I wish you great success in discovering and cultivating the genius within you!

[norbert]

Originally Posted by samjhudson

How exactly do I determine what I want to do with my life?

Hey Sam,

I'd like to send you one single tip from Harv Eker. Tony Robbins shares similar thoughts: true fulfillment comes from appreciation and contribution. I think you'd find Harv's work interesting.

Best Regards,
Norbert

[DrMartinRussell]

If all else fails here is a backup plan.

Example: Robert Kiyosaki retired, and then wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Set the goal to retire at your current lifestyle to free up time and options to answer the question of what you are wanting to do with your life.

If along the way you any ideas or passions come to mind, then great, jot them down and get to them when you are retired. If they interrupt you too much, then that's what you should really be doing so you've found your answer.

I'd suggest Tim Ferriss as an 'mentor' to follow for this.

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by samjhudson

This brings me to my question - How exactly do I determine what I want to do with my life?

Are you polarized(Steve wrote about it a while ago)?
Here's the post: http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...-a-darkworker/
Some posts leading up to it:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/02/polarity/
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/02/polarization/
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...d-your-career/

If you're polarized, you'll either be doing everything you can to serve yourself or the world, which would be your purpose...
So you'd know what to do, but you'd need to figure out what it means to serve yourself/the world(or I do, anyway), which is easier to answer in my opinion.

That's one way...