What do you want to do with your life?It can be difficult to stare out at a world of boundless possibilities and choose just one thing from the mix; sometimes, it may not seem like there's anything worth doing at all.Try this: instead of looking at your life as something that will happen in the future, look at it right now.Start swimming if you stop staring at the horizon.If you want to do something else, try out something that appeals to you and keep doing it.One opportunity will lead to another, and you'll discover your purpose on the way if you figure out what you don't want to do.
Step 1: Discuss your interests and dreams.
Take some time to think about your dreams and hopes.Take a few days to decide where you want to go.Ask yourself what your ideal life would look like if you only focused on one area of life.Write down any questions you have.Some responses will be more realistic than others, but they can still help you figure out what you want to do.It's alright to not have everything figured out.Maybe you don't have a dream job.That's wonderful!If you do not have everything planned, don't worry, you're just thinking.Try to figure out your personality type using online tools.
Step 2: It is a good idea to take a look at your life.
You have choices in front of you.There are many paths through life, but not all of them are convenient or realistic.Think about what you can't do.Consider your values.What is important to you?No matter where you end up or what you do, what standards do you want to live by?Take into account your skills and what you're willing to learn.Are you good at talking to people?Do you have a mathematical mind?Are you good at putting things together or figuring it out?Are you willing to go to school in order to get on a certain career track?Consider your financial standing.Are you saving money?Are you wondering if your parents are paying for everything?Are you able to afford to take classes, live on your own, or travel?Money can be an important tool for getting where you want to go, even though many of the good things in life are free.Take your mobility into account.Are you willing to move across the planet for a job or an adventure, or are you tied to one place?Do you have enough money to leave?Do you stay with a significant other or take care of your family because you don't want to leave?
Step 3: Do you know what's important to you?
Do you want to live in a small town or a city?Do you want to have kids?Do you want to be famous?Do you want to devote your life to a cause or do you prefer to be happy?Be prepared for your priorities to change as you grow older, but figure out what's important to you and let this purpose guide you.
Step 4: A list can be made.
Write down what you can imagine doing with your life.Pilot, firefighter, teacher, author, park ranger, carpenter, neuroscientist, anything.You can see which choices leap out at you by reading over your list.Choose two or three options to explore further, like a firefighter or a park Ranger.Take a closer look at how realistic each option is.You know you'll never actually do those things, so be honest with yourself.If you like the sound of being a neuroscientist, but you don't have the patience to work through a PhD program, then you're probably not going to become one.This does not mean that you can't volunteer for research or think about neuroscience in your spare time.If you like the sound of being a firefighter, you can stay calm under pressure, and you're willing to brush with danger, then do some research and further investigate the job.You can run a search for "how to become a firefighter".There are online forums about what it's like to be a firefighter.Ask firefighters about their job in real life.
Step 5: Don't just pick one thing.
You can be a doctor, poet, mechanic, dancer, teacher and writer.Imagine a combination that sounds exciting.If you aren't going to travel the country as a penniless vagabond, or live off the land in a national forest, you will need to support in order to live in human society.Money doesn't have to be your sole purpose, just that you will need it to support yourself while you do other things.
Step 6: Talk to your friends.
Draw inspiration from people who are happy in their lives.Talk to friends, family, teachers, strangers, people you meet on the bus, or the internet.Try it out if you hear about a job or lifestyle that is worthwhile.Ask your friends and family what you are doing.They may have suggestions that will point you in the right direction, even if they can't give you all the answers.You may be surprised by what they tell you.Imagine being in someone's shoes.If you think you might want to be a teacher, think about how much time you'll spend with kids and other teachers, as well as the summers you need to spend.Do you want to live with these realities?
Step 7: Take a test of the water.
Take a closer look.You should research any jobs and lifestyles that interest you.You don't have to commit to doing something forever.Think of a vocation as a process of asking questions and answering them.Explore it further if you want to learn more.If you discover that you don't like it, you can try something different.Ask to shadow people.If you are interested in working as a police officer, you should visit your local police department and ask to ride along with an officer for a day.Contact your local school board and ask to shadow a teacher, and register as a substitute teacher to get classroom experience, if you think you want to be an elementary school teacher.If you can afford it, you should consider taking an internship or working for free.Take a tour of the company culture and see how you like it.
Step 8: Take a leap into something.
You won't get anywhere until you start swimming, so you can spend all day staring out at the horizon.Try out a new lifestyle, find a job, take classes, or embark on an adventure.If you want to find something else that's more appealing, work at it until you find it.You can always change directions and try something new.It can be hard to look at a lot of possibilities.Everything will only be possible if you try things out and make them real.It may feel safe to live in a world where everything is possible, but eventually you will need to make a choice.You don't need to stick with this job, journey, or lifestyle for the rest of your life.The point is to figure out what you can and can't do with your life.If you want to grow as a person, choose something that you enjoy, that feels real, and that leads somewhere else.Even if you don't have a life goal, the act of working toward something gives you perspective on what you want to do with your life.You can scratch something off the list if you know what you don't want to do with your life.
Step 9: Don't worry about the rest of your life, focus on the next few years.
Forget about when you're 80, where do you see yourself in a year?How long in five years?Even if you don't like it or not, the rest of your life will happen and you can only act now.Try to stay grounded in the present because it can be hard to plan out 30 years from now.As you live your life, it will unfold.
Step 10: Try to join a service organization.
Consider Americorps, the Peace Corps, WWOOFing, volunteering at a nonprofit, or getting certified to teach English as a second language.If you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life, these programs are great for you.It will help you learn about your place in the world, and it will look great on your resume.You should apply for AmeriCorps.You must be at least 18 years old to sign up for work.Projects range from trail-building in state parks to working with disadvantaged inner-city children.Volunteers receive a stipend of several hundred dollars a month, and alumni can receive scholarships for higher education.Join the Peace Corps.Two years will be spent stabilizing a community.You can serve in Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, or Ukraine.You can teach English as a second language, help small businesses grow, or help boost food security in a rural village.You will work with a community, use your time to make the world a better place, and maybe figure out how you want to spend the rest of your life.WWOOF: World Wide Opportunities on Organic farms requires volunteers to work on an organic farm.Farmers feed you, give you a place to sleep, and teach you about farming in return for you working on an organic farm.For a small fee, you can access a network of thousands of organic farmers who are looking for help, from seasonal workers to long-term commitments.You can volunteer at a farm within a week.
Step 11: You can always change your mind.
You don't have to settle for a job or lifestyle that you hate if you make the right choices now."Stuck" is a mindset.You can either stay the course or break it.The most important thing is that you start swimming.