Discovering Your Life Goals: 4 Strategies Illustrated (Featuring Examples)
In the pursuit of self-discovery, one essential question echoes through our lives: "What do you want to do in life?" This question, following us from our school days into adulthood, is a constant reminder of the importance of understanding our own desires.
For many, finding one's purpose is the first step towards figuring out what one wants. Setting goals is a good way to stay motivated and get unstuck. However, as we journey through life, it's important to remember that changing goals is acceptable if they no longer serve our purpose.
Take, for example, the case of our Estonian author, who started as a school psychologist, teacher, and internet counselor. Initially, they had no intention of pursuing a career in psychology. Yet, they ended up with a career they enjoy more than expected. This shift in direction shows that it's okay to discover that what one thought they wanted isn't what they really want.
The author, at 25, had none of the things they thought they would have by that age, as described in a letter written to their 25-year-old self in 9th grade. This experience underscores the fact that few people know what they want in life, and even fewer end up with the things they think they want.
So, how does one navigate this process of self-discovery? The first tip is to try new things and meet new people to collect new experiences. Experimenting and trying new things is crucial for figuring out what one wants.
However, this process isn't always straightforward. It's a journey of introspection, trial and error, flexibility, resilience, and leaving one's comfort zone. To differentiate between what one genuinely wants in life versus what one thinks they should want, it's essential to become aware of internal desires versus external expectations and contradictions within oneself.
Understanding that wants may reflect how one desires to be seen by others, whereas needs and authentic desires reflect one's core identity, can guide this differentiation. Wants often have an external orientation; genuine desires are rooted internally.
Identifying what one doesn't want can also help in determining what one does want. For instance, the author's ideas at 15 were influenced by what they thought they should want, and this influence continues to some extent. However, recognising and letting go of these perceived "should wants" has been instrumental in their journey of self-discovery.
Lastly, it's important to remember that goals are essential for motivation, but one should not be discouraged when plans change. Flexibility and resilience are necessary for when plans don't pan out. Growth happens outside of the comfort zone, and sometimes, the most fulfilling paths are those we never initially planned for.
- Engaging in regular introspection can help distinguish personal growth desires from societal expectations, as one navigates their lifestyle and education-and-self-development journey.
- Pursuing happiness often requires going against previous ideas of what one 'should' want, as the author's career shift demonstrates, and identifying what one doesn't want can be a valuable step in determining what one truly does want.
){kind=link}