Whether you’re fresh out of college, looking for a career change, or planning your retirement – figuring out what you want to do with your life can be a loaded, complicated, and stressful decision for sure. Unfortunately, no one can tell you what to do. These are things you have to decide on your own and you may find yourself having to do a little soul-searching while thinking about it. Here are 5 tips to help you figure out what you want to do with your life.
Follow Your Heart
Sometimes following your heart or intuition might mean making a decision that doesn’t seem so logical. Remind yourself that this is OK sometimes. People around you, even those that love you and want what’s best for you, will not always understand or support your decisions but as long as you’re happy that’s all that matters. Put yourself above everyone else when you need to and listen to your heart whenever you can.
Ask For Advice
Asking friends, family members, or even strangers for advice can be great for helping you make important decisions. For example, if you are thinking about becoming a firefighter, consider talking to a current or former firefighter if you can get in contact with one. They might tell you some things you wouldn’t already know, such as the importance of being tech-savvy enough to use a mobile device to stay in communication with other firefighters during a mission. Small things like this can be surprising and may make you either want to do the job more or shy away from it.
Get Inspiration From Others
It’s easy to lose motivation sometimes. This happens to everyone. Just make sure you don’t allow yourself to stay down in the dumps and try to get some inspiration wherever you can. You can look to the internet, celebrities, friends, or even strangers on the street for a little bit of inspiration when it comes to big (or small) life choices. Get inspired by seeing how happy or fulfilled other people are with what they’re doing. Being witness to this may make you want to do the same!
Slow Down
Take your time and be patient with yourself as you figure things out. Just because you are a little slower than others in your circle or feel like you’re behind where you should be doesn’t mean you should rush when thinking about your next move. Slow down, breathe, and consider all options.
No matter what juncture you’re at, figuring out what you want or need to do with the rest of your life probably won’t be easy. Go easy on yourself. Follow these tips and before you know it you’ll be living your very best life!