When we are born we don’t get given a route map to help us find our way through life, we don’t even get a compass. It should be no surprise then that so many people get lost and seem to have no idea where they want their life to go.
One such person I had the pleasure of talking to today. An amazing girl who has potential oozing through every pour. She can write and speak like a professional, she has all the qualities of a coach, caring, great questioner, inspiring and determined to make a difference. But what to do with that skill set, she hasn’t a clue.
Here is the question she keeps asking herself, and I’m sure many of you also ‘Where do I want my life to go?’
We’ve all hit that point where we can’t figure out exactly what we really want to do with our lives. It can come when you’re 21 or when you’re 50, and it’s always a difficult process to work through. It’s not hopeless, though!
Now, I can’t really tell this young woman what to do, but I can guide her sharing what I’ve learned on my own personal life.
I know she dreams of owning her own business. So I’d tell her to start small, and build it every day. She needs to show herself as trustworthy, and begin working on building her reputation from the very start. Being attentive to things that happen is important.
Opportunities will come your way, if you have your eyes open, and you watch out for possibilities. You have to be ready to seize them.
To help her discover what she really wanted to do with her life I asked her another question:
Where would you like your life to be in five years’ time?
Now to often this question seems as difficult to answer as ‘where do I want my life to go.’ You can’t see into the future or build a picture of the life you want to live. You desperately search for your answer, but only confusion arises.
So my next question was for her to figure out what she truly cared about, how she perceived herself and how she wanted to act moving forward. A light began to shine but only a few rays got through the clouds blocking the path.
Sometimes, in fact often, the best way to really figure out what you want to do is start with the end in mind. To do this she’d have to connect in her mind with what she’s passionate about, her potential career path and ultimately her life purpose.
This is so difficult for most people and they never figure out what they really want to do with their life. The conundrum of figuring out one’s true passions and purpose is just too daunting.
But there’s a magical process that can indeed help you find the answer. You may not like the suggestion but I assure you it works. You really will start with the end in mind, your end, we need to start at your funeral.
What do I mean? I want you to imagine that you’re at your funeral. You look around, and all your family, friends and business acquaintances are gathered. One by one, they stand up and share what they admired most about you. Your best personality traits, the cool things you did in your life, the ways you made the world a better place. They each say how they will remember you.
You need to listen to these eulogies, so turn up the volume inside your head. Let their words point you in the direction that your life will take, so then you can see the path life has taken from this point forward.
Write everything that comes through your mind, don’t hold back. Have fun with it!
By the way I sneaked a preview of your eulogies and it seemed life turned out great for you, in truth it was brilliant.
Once you’ve worked through this exercise and you start to see your path, next ask yourself ‘What can you do TODAY to start becoming that person?’
