You may find yourself living your life on autopilot, working every day at a job only to wonder whether you might have a more meaningful purpose in life. Everyone has their own path, so don’t feel bad. But never stop searching for your next step, and to help you out, here are some ways you can discover your true calling.
Seek Feedback from Others
When you’re feeling stuck in life, it can often help to ask friends, family, and colleagues for their insights about your strengths and talents. Sometimes, others can see our abilities more clearly than we can. Their perspectives can provide valuable guidance on what career paths might suit you best, so it’s worth a try.
Experiment with New Activities
Another way to discover your true calling in life is to try new hobbies or activities to discover hidden interests. You won’t find your true calling if you never try it in the first place, and it’s never too late, so take up a new sport, learn a musical instrument, or try anything else. There’s no correct path; try new things, and you might open doors to unexpected career paths.
Read Inspirational Biographies
Some people find that not only do they not know what their true calling is, but they have no motivation to find it. To get yourself some inspiration, consider immersing yourself in the lives of people who have found their true calling, such as through biographies and documentaries. These provide insight into how others discovered their passions and achieved success, potentially pushing you in the right direction.
Reflect on Childhood Dreams
As Sue-lin Tan suggests via Linkedin, to discover your path in life, it can often be helpful to look back on the aspirations you had as a child. Those early dreams often hold clues to your passions, so revisit what excited you back then and see if it’s still relevant. Maybe you dreamed of becoming an astronaut, an artist, or an architect; whatever it is, it’s rarely too late to start your journey.
Identify Your Strengths
If you can’t think of any dreams that you have always had, instead, consider what you excel at naturally, as skills that come easily to you often point toward your true calling. Pay attention to activities where you feel confident and capable and, more importantly, where you feel most happy.
Explore Your Passions
On the subject of enjoying an activity, think about which topics or activities you lose track of time doing. Time flies when you’re having fun, so these passions can guide you towards a career that is genuinely fulfilling. Start by making a list of such hobbies or subjects that fascinate you, and start exploring potential careers that align with these interests.
Consider Your Values
If you still can’t think of any hobbies or skills you enjoy or are particularly good at, it might be smarter to think about your values. If there are certain things you particularly care about in life, you may be able to find a career path that aligns with your principles. Reflect on what you stand for and seek out professions that allow you to live by those values daily.
Take Career Assessments
Few people realize that there are career assessment tools out there designed specifically to help you gain a better understanding of your interests and strengths. Some of these tests are online, and some are in person; either way, they all provide personalized suggestions for career paths that might suit you, giving you a nudge in the right direction.
Connect with a Mentor
Many people find themselves on the right path after spending time with a mentor who can offer guidance and support and often understand the person better than they can themselves. A mentor with experience in a field you’re interested in can provide valuable insights and advice, so don’t underestimate the power of shadowing someone.
Attend Networking Events
If you’ve figured out what industry you’re interested in but don’t know where to start, try to engage with professionals in the industry by attending networking events. These gatherings offer opportunities to learn about different careers and make connections. It doesn’t matter if you don’t experience; people who do will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Reflect on Personal Achievements
Another way to figure out your path in life is to look back at moments when you felt proud of your accomplishments. These achievements can highlight your strengths and passions, so dedicate some time to analyzing what made those moments fulfilling, helping you identify what type of work might bring you a similar sense of satisfaction.
Volunteer for Causes You Care About
When some people feel lost and don’t know how to contribute to the world, they start to volunteer because this is directly giving back to communities. It may not be what you want to do forever, but it will allow you to help other people while having time to think about what you want to do for yourself, preventing your life from becoming stagnant.
Take a Sabbatical
Another alternative to volunteering is taking a break from your current job to explore new opportunities, giving you the time and space to reflect on your career goals. Use this period to travel, take courses, or engage in projects that ignite your curiosity, and you might find yourself returning with a better idea.
Pursue Further Education
It’s never too late to further your education, so consider enrolling in courses or workshops related to fields you’re interested in. Further education can deepen your knowledge and open new career possibilities, and who knows, you might just find your calling from what you learn.
Start a Side Project
Sometimes, it can be a wise idea to launch a side project that aligns with your interests alongside your job. This initiative can help you test the waters in a new field without making a full commitment. Side projects can also demonstrate your passion and skills to potential employers or clients, so it could be the start of something very special.
Join Professional Organizations
If you already work in an industry but aren’t fulfilled, you could become a member of a professional organization where you’ll meet countless like-minded people. These groups offer resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights, helping you to stay informed about the latest trends that might just push you in the right direction.
Travel and Experience Different Cultures
When people are looking to “find themselves,” one of the most common things to do is go traveling. Sometimes, being stuck in one place can leave you feeling uninspired, so traveling helps you broaden your perspective and introduce new ideas to your life. Many people discover themselves and what they want to do when traveling, and you could be the same.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
For some people, simply becoming at peace with themselves is more fulfilling than any career could ever be, and mindfulness and meditation are great places to start. They help you connect with your inner self and can even clarify your true calling, encouraging self-reflection and awareness to help you understand what truly fulfills you.
Trust Your Intuition
Above all, never let anybody else tell you what your path is. Pay attention to your gut feelings when making career decisions, and do what feels right. Intuition can be a powerful guide in discovering your true calling, so when something feels right or excites you, just go for it; life is too short not to.