Have you figured out what you want?

Question

I am still in the process of consolidating my goals, I just wonder, have you figured out what you want out of life? How'd you do it? What are you doing at the moment? Are you happy? I don't mind if you post long responses. I actually prefer them. Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, Kim... I am in my early 40's and still have not figured out what I want out of life. I do not know what my purpose is here. I like many things and have had some interesting careers (government administrator, social worker, architect's secretary, working with disadvantaged children) and I still haven't discovered what it is I really want. These careers were great, but it felt like I wasn't using my fullest potential. I'd love to go back to university and major in something to do with psychology, sociology, scientific research, but I have a wee confidence problem. I don't know if I'm actually intelligent enough to take any of these programs. I'm happy enough at the moment, however, I still feel like I have something more to contribute to the world. I'm a "I wanna make a difference" kind of person. How I make that difference though is still uncertain. I'm leaving it up to God and hope that He shows me the direction I need to go.  

Answer 2

You'll never believe this. I'm 28 and am just figuring it out. For years I've been beating my head against a wall (not literally) trying to figure it out, asking God over and over what my purpose is, and trying to piece it together for myself. It wasn't until I joined YA and started answering questions about rape that the light went on and I realized what I want to do. I want to become a rape crisis counselor, continue my education, and earn the degrees I need (a Master's or a PsyD) to become a psychologist or psychotherapist. I think I know what university I want to go to after I earn my Associate's, but my options are still open on that. I know where I want to live, but that might have to change if I want to attend classes in a building instead of online. At the moment I clean. Boring, huh? I need a job that stimulates my mind. I really like to help people. It's funny because, looking back, I can see signposts that were pointing me to psychology: my personality, comments others have made about what might be a good path for me, how I "randomly" picked my major.

Any advice you're given, consider it and weigh it against your personal values and aspirations. Don't settle for a job that doesn't suit you because that can make you miserable. Don't give up on your dreams. Set baby goals until you can work up to achieving whatever it is you want to do.

If you'd like advice or encouragement along the way, you can email me.

Answer 3

Hi there, I think happiness is found in finding our purpose and fulfilling it.  How do you find that?  Three tips

1. do what you love

2. Make sure you are adding value to the world

3. forget the money.

To leave the world a better place than you found it, that's your goal, that's your purpose.  How you do that is up to you.  Now the reason I say forget the money is because if you do those 2 things you will surely become rich.  

You will be financially rich, morally rich, rich in happiness, rich in relationship.  You will be one happy, wealthy, purposeful person, who is living a meaningful life and is making a very handsome contribution to life.

This is a big subject.  I have a website that I would recommend, the whole site is answering this question.

http://www.dream-life-coaching.com

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it.