You’ve likely asked yourself the question: What is my life’s work?
We all want to find meaning in our careers. And if you’re a millennial or Gen Z, then this is probably a daily search for you.
We struggle to do work where we don’t find meaning and purpose — unlike the older generation, who stuck with their jobs until they were depressed and burnt out.
But we’re not desperate. We’re not backing down. And we’re not investing our lives into work we don’t love.
In my search for meaningful work, I’ve experienced crippling anxiety and confusion.
Not knowing who you are, what you want to do, and where you stand in the world can rip you apart.
If you’ve felt this too, know that you’re not alone. There are millions of us trudging around, pretending like everything is fine, making a living instead of making a life.
This post will show you the steps you must take to find and understand your life’s work.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
8 Ways to Figure Out What You Want to Do in Life
1. Ask Yourself, “Whose Career Do I Envy?”
While the green monster should be avoided in most aspects of life, it’s a good way to get insight into what you want career-wise.
So, whose work/job/career do you envy with a passion?
You should be asking yourself, ”Why can’t I have work like that? Then work wouldn’t feel like work.”
When I worked my soul-sucking finance job in 2020, I realized I was jealous of people with creative careers — photographers, painters, musicians, and writers.
I even watched the marketing department in awe while I sat glumly behind a spreadsheet.
I wanted to create something — just anything. I wanted to breathe life into a company’s online presence using words and visuals. I wanted to become like the bloggers I followed. I wanted to pour myself into a creative pursuit that I would be proud of.
It turns out that my jealousy was trying to tell me something. It was showing me the desires I had buried in my heart.
So, the next time you imagine being in someone else’s shoes at work or you yearn for a job so bad that it makes you green with envy, listen to yourself!
Related Post: 30 Inspirational Career Quotes to Motivate You Towards Success
2. Ask Yourself, “Who Are My Role Models and Why?”
There’s a reason why you admire certain people — because something they said or are accomplishing resonates with you.
I don’t favor the Kardashians because I find them superficial. But I do admire Mark Manson, not just for his regular use of cuss words, but for his brilliant writing in the personal growth space.
I also think highly of Priyanka Chopra, not because she’s beautiful, but because she was confident enough to say “fuck you” to an industry that didn’t value her and carved another path.
Understanding who your role models are gives you insight into what you value in others and yourself.
That musician you admire? Is it for his music or his life story? Is it the way he thrived despite a difficult childhood? Or is it for his deep songwriting?
Now that you’ve figured out your role models, you can form parallels between them and the work you want.
For example, me loving Mark Manson definitely has something to do with my love for writing about personal growth. And me revering Priyanka Chopra has something to do with wishing I was confident to follow my own instincts.
3. Ignore What Everyone Else Says
“Everyone will give you advice – But only you know how you feel.” ModernHealthMonk
It seems obvious to ignore everyone when making a decision about YOUR life, but so few of us have the power to do so.
Our minds have been conditioned since birth, whether we like to admit it or not. If you’re a millennial or Gen Z, you likely have Gen X or Boomer parents/relatives.
These guys grew up with a “follow the rules” mindset, where you’re expected to work for the same boring company for 40 years until retirement.
And despite them having a life full of wisdom and our best interests at heart, this may not necessarily be what we want — especially in the current era where work as we know it has changed.
There are new opportunities, work has become more flexible, and it’s normal to job-hop every two years.
So, drown out the noise if you want to hear the beat of your own heart.
Will it be hard? Yes. I still struggle with ignoring people’s opinions about my career choices. But it’s easier than following what somebody else says and being miserable.
That being said, I do believe in listening to other’s perspectives. Some elders might have experience in your chosen career path, and sometimes, our best friends know how to analyze a situation better than us.
My best friend loves to bust out her notepad to draw up a PROS/CONS table the minute I have a life-changing decision to make.
But in the end, that final decision is mine.
Related Post: 10 Things to Do When You Don’t Know What Career You Want
4. Figure Out What You’re Naturally Good At Or Enjoyed Doing as a Kid
I was always a words kid. Why I decided to go into numbers beats me.
Actually, I know why — I listened to my family. I took their advice to find a “stable” career path that would earn me a lot of money and respect in society.
But the world has changed, and now writing is one of the most lucrative fields to be in. So, score for me!
Look to your younger self. What did you love to do (besides building sand castles)?
What did you want to do before you started associating money with a career path?
5. Figure Out Which Career Paths Turn Your Nose Up
Sometimes, knowing what you don’t want helps you understand what you DO want.
Is there a particular career path you want to steer clear of? Do you feel sorry for someone when they tell you their job?
Make a list of these no-go zone careers.
6. Try Everything You’re Curious About
If you have an inexhaustible list of things you’d like to do, that’s great! You aren’t confused, lazy, indecisive, or a “new-age” kid. You’re smart, open to new things, and more likely to find your purpose sooner.
I feel sorry for people who don’t experiment, like the 9-5ers working the same job for years and our parents who didn’t dare to do something different.
Working different jobs or volunteering in exciting missions is the best way to recognize what you want!
It’s called the process of elimination.
Related Post: 5 Glaring Signs You’re in Your Career Comfort Zone
7. Understand “Who” You Want to Be
The person you want to be (or the best version of yourself) must be in alignment with what you want to do.
When you know who you are, you will also know what your values align with. Then, you can find a career that embodies those values.
For example, because my childhood and teens were very sheltered, I’m now drawn to traveling and learning different things. I’m also a big advocate for Kaizen (constant improvement.) This is why I love writing about personal development. I want to help people through my writing because many writers have helped me through my own growth journey.
These things make me ME. And blogging is one of the most perfect career paths that marries these things together.
Moreover, I realized that I’d never flourish in a finance/accounting career because I’ve never been money-driven, and I don’t want to be. I also don’t care about adding to the capitalistic nature of society.
You see? Even figuring out who you don’t want to be helps you understand what you don’t want to do!
8. Be Okay With the Process Taking a While
Finding your life’s work takes time, so be patient and continue trying different things. The best is yet to come.
And remember that you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
In the meantime, ponder on this quote:
“Enjoy the meanderings, the soul-searching, the loves lost, the time wasted. All of it will add up to a complex and very unique ‘you.’ The more you appreciate right now, the more the future will become a fantastic reality. Don’t pressure yourself to be in the future.” James Altucher
Final Thoughts
Our work makes up a huge part of our lives, to the extent that it can feel like our identity. That’s why it’s so important to love what you do and find meaning in it.
Don’t despair if you haven’t figured it all out yet.
If you’ve begun the search, you will find treasure. It might not be the treasure you expected, but it will be beautiful.