I Don't Know What to Do With My Life (Intense Questions to Ask Yourself)

With a question like, "What do I do with my life?" it can be hard to even know where to begin.

And it's so difficult to answer because what works for one person probably won't work for you.

Plus, if you think about it, you're most likely looking for answers to different questions.

In this article, we're going to go over the questions behind the questions.

It's time to figure out what you need to do to analyze your life and discover your purpose.

I Don't Know What to Do For a Career (What Should I Do With My Life?)

A lot of people start here because they think that the whole point of life is to figure out the career they're supposed to be doing.

This is what society tells you--that once you're old enough to begin your professional life, you just need to know what you're supposed to be doing--and then go do it.

But how often do you make decisions like that?

Isn't it the case that you learn about yourself through a slow process of discovery?

Think back to when you were a child.

Did you just pop out of bed, know what you wanted to do that day, write down a plan in your child-sized notebook, and then go about doing it?

Of course not.

You explored. You stumbled upon what you liked bit by bit.

This is always how it works, but we get tricked by society and its famous "planning mindset."

The reality is this: a life plan doesn't just magically materialize in the blink of an eye.

Your career path is a series of steps, a process of discovery.

But how do you start the process?

You start with a question that's easier to answer.

How do I choose a job?

A job is smaller than a career. That's obvious.

But how do you go about picking one?

Well, what are your talents?

What do you enjoy doing?

Going back to the child analogy, what made your eyes light up when you were a kid?

Do you even remember?

If you're stuck and can't think of anything, talk to the people who know you best--your parents, your friends--or maybe your neighbors or even your current coworkers, if you're working in a job that you're trying to get away from.

The answer is always going to come from inside you, but you might need some help to drag it out.

If you're a person who likes working with their hands, look for jobs that allow you to do that.

If you're a person who is more cerebral and in your head, then maybe you want a job that values your thinking skills.

If you know yourself, then the kinds of jobs you might enjoy will become obvious.

But I'm guessing you didn't really come here to know what kind of job you should apply for.

I'm guessing something deeper is going on.

Actually, I'm not guessing--I know this.

How?

Because all humans are meaning-making creatures.

We're not on this planet simply to get old enough to work, find a job to do for a few years, and then die.

We crave purpose.

And in purpose there is meaning.

What is the Purpose of Life?

Holy Toledo.

You came here thinking, "I don't know what to do with my life" and now you have to deal with your ultimate purpose?

I know. It seems like a lot to handle.

And no one article will deliver your purpose to you in a neat package.

But an article can get you thinking about what it means to live a purposeful life.

There can be as many purposes in life as there are people on this planet, so it's time to uncover another question you might actually be asking.

What is my purpose?

Your purpose is not my purpose, and it's not your mother or father's purpose.

It's your own.

And it emerges from your day-to-day life.

It's in the everyday life that you find what you're made of and then use those lessons to set your direction.

Here are two more sets of questions to ask yourself...

1) Start by asking yourself some basic questions:

What are your goals? Where do you want to go in the future? Who do you want to become? What kind of job would make you happy? What kind of relationship would make you happy?

2) Then, ask yourself these more specific questions:

Do you have any skills or talents that could help you get there? Are you willing to put in the time and effort to learn new things? Can you see yourself doing something else?

Questions upon questions.

It can make anyone's head spin.

But how will you find answers if you're not asking questions?

And the more questions you can ask yourself, the better.

Because that's how you'll stir up the greatest variety of answers.

And that's what you're here for, right? The answers to your brief time on this planet.

How to Find Your Purpose in Life

When it all comes down to it, you're not really looking for a measly job or a satisfying career.

You might think that's what you're after, but, once, again, you need to dig deeper.

What do you really desire?

If you stopped to think about this for 20 minutes, what is beneath all of your searching?

It's finding meaning. It's purpose.

And you're not ever going to know what it's in your heart if you don't ask it questions.

The Western Mindset has trained us to live our lives in our heads.

So let me ask you this:

How's that working out for you?

If you've tried to overanalyze every situation and plan your life goals in one, five, and ten-year increments and it hasn't worked out yet, maybe it's time to try something else.

Pick a new target.

Your heart.

Your gut feeling.

Whatever you want to call it, you can't go wrong if you aim your questions in that direction.

This is where you will find your meaningful life.

I bet you're getting tired of this now, but let's wrap this up with one final question.

Ask yourself, "What do I want from life?"

Is your goal in life to work and then die?

Or is there something else you want?

Many daily lives are wasted focusing on other people's dreams.

If this is the one life you have, you need to treat your life with the respect it deserves.

Pay attention to it.

Better yet, pay attention to yourself.

Ask questions, and then ask more questions.

Usually the first question you ask is not the question you actually want answers to.

You don't need a life coach to walk you through some magic worksheets to find your life path.

You already have the answers.

You probably just haven't asked the right question yet.