What Am I Going To Do With The Rest Of My Life?
Unexpected life changes. Transitions that were expected. Long nights with no sleep. How do these three things fit together? The ability to ask one of the most haunting questions in the library of human introspective:
Key Points
- Define your personal definition of success beyond vague notions, incorporating various aspects such as fulfillment, spirituality, and personal growth.
- Identify your non-negotiable needs and boundaries to gain clarity on what you require for a happy and successful life and establish guidelines for decision-making.
- Reflect on your core values to guide your choices and ensure that your actions align with the person you aspire to be, leading to a life of authenticity and purpose.
“What on earth am I going to do with the rest of my life?”
Life is a tapestry woven with unexpected twists, anticipated transitions, and nights filled with introspection. Amidst it all, one haunting question echoes through our minds: “What on earth am I going to do with the rest of my life?”
While I can’t answer that question for you, I can provide some guidance on how to ensure your future shines as brilliantly as the dreams of your youth.
Even though I can’t answer this question for anyone but myself, I can give people in this situation some basic tips on how to make sure their future is as bright as their class valedictorian said it would be.
Take Time To Create A Map
When we have to make a big (or even a not-so-big) decision in life, we tend to either take the first good option that comes along or let life choose for us by default, putting off the decision until the current of life carries us past the turning point.
You can probably guess this is not the best way to get what you want. But the choices we face in life can be so different or so similar at first glance that it’s hard to know which way to go.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a map that told us which roads to take and which ones to skip?
Before starting a new path, everyone should ask themselves the following five questions. The answers to these questions should then be used to guide decisions and actions.
When you have a choice, compare the different options to your stated goals and desires and pick the one that gets you closer to your destination. (or at least moves you the least farthest away from it).
What does success mean to me?
Don’t be vague. “I want to be rich,” is not a good answer. What does it even mean to be “rich”? Do you have a certain number in mind? If yes, why?
Or does the word “rich” mean certain freedoms and opportunities you think you can only get with money? If so, are you missing out on other ways to get them if you think you can only get them with money?
Depending on the person, some more specific ways to say “I want to be rich,” are: “I want to have enough net income to meet my current financial responsibilities without strain.
While also having time and money left over for travel.” “I want to be able to comfortably afford a jet-setting lifestyle in New York City,” “I want to spend 4 days a week at home with my kids,” etc.
You should try to come up with at least three different answers to the question, “What does success mean to you?”
Each answer should show a different part of what makes a successful life. And only talk about money once. Things like personal fulfillment, spiritual meaning, and other important needs and values can’t be solved, bought, or changed by money.
Most of us have never really thought about what success means to us, other than a vague idea of fame, money, or otherworldly success. This is one of the biggest obstacles to success.
Knowing what success means to you—what you hope or imagine these general definitions of success would give you and how you want those things to look in your life—helps you make better decisions.
What are my non-negotiable needs?
Make a list of all the things you think are necessary for a happy and successful life. Family, travel, no debt, a pleasant work environment, social status, making a positive contribution to society, spiritual involvement, public acclaim, love, excitement, comfort, and anything else you can think of are all real needs that, when not met, make your life full of stress, want, and a lack of control.
Knowing what you can’t live without makes it easier to see how different options compare.
What are my non-negotiable boundaries?
Make a list of all the things you don’t want in your life at all. Put that down if the thought of working in a typical office with a clear hierarchy makes you sick. If the thought of living somewhere cold makes you sick, add that to the list. If being teased about your body or other things makes life unbearable, make a note of that as well.
If you know what you won’t stand for, making many decisions is much easier. Plus, it lets you make rules and policies about who and what you will let into your life and what kind of behavior you will and will not accept.
What are my key values?
Spend some time digging deep into your heart to come up with a list of your basic values. Building your life around these values will help you become the person you want to be and give you the freedom to live the life you want to live.
Are you the kind of person who cares most about being honest, living clean and green, and having a deep love for nature? Or do you prefer the “comforts of home,” family, and fun?
Do you think it’s more important to help people than to let them find their own way, or is it the other way around? Knowing what you stand for is an important part of making good decisions.
What do I want to be remembered for?
What kind of mark do you want to leave on this place when you die? What do you want people to say about you and how you live? How do you want people to remember you? How would you like your death notice to describe you?
If you know where you want to end up, it’s much easier to choose how to get there and keep track of your progress.
As you embark on the quest to uncover your life’s purpose, remember that the journey is as important as the destination. By reflecting on what success means to you, defining your non-negotiable needs and boundaries, and aligning your decisions with your core values, you pave the way for a life rich in authenticity, personal growth, and meaningful connections.
Embrace this transformative process and let the legacy you leave behind reflect the greatness that resides within you. Remember, your path to fulfillment starts now.
