Step-by-Step Guide to Answer "What Should I Do with My Life?

Imagine waking up every day with a clear sense of purpose, excited about what lies ahead. For many of us, this seems like a distant dream.

I remember hitting my absolute rock bottom during my early college years. Life hit me hard - an alcoholic mom, identity crisis, and constant bullying in school. I was lost, suicidal, and at the point when I didn't know what to do with life.

At one point, I even ended up in prison after a heated argument with my mom escalated.

Then, one day, my favorite professor casually mentioned the book: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Desperate for any help, I decided to give it a try. That book opened my eyes, helped me change my mindset, and was the starting point for finding my path.

The question "What should I do with my life?" is something a lot of us grapple with. Many of us struggle with life's direction, especially young adults. Information overload and instant gratification culture don't help. But my whole life is a proven experience that you can still find your way through.

Despite those deep struggles I had in my teenage years, I managed to turn my life around completely. Coming out of rock bottom, I built a seven-figure business through sheer grit and a total mindset shift. And if you ask me how, then I'd say building a growth-owner mindset, developing success habits, and consistent, disciplined actions were game changers for me.

Over the past 25 years, I've dedicated myself to studying habits and happiness, cracking the principles of life that lead to true fulfillment. I've identified five core areas of life that are essential for balance and growth: Mindset, Career & Finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Mental and Emotional Health. These principles have not only guided my transformation but have also been the foundation of my success.

Want to know more about how these principles can change your life, too?

This blog will help you find your purpose using structured approaches and proven techniques. Let's tackle life's challenges together.

Upgrades You'll Earn From This Blog:

• Clarity on Life Direction: By exploring six deep questions, you'll uncover insights about your passions, values, and strengths.

• Strategies to Build Long-Term Discipline: Learn how to form habits that stick, making long-term success inevitable.

• Techniques to Overcome Mental Barriers: Overcome procrastination, decision-making paralysis, and the fear of failure.

What Should I Do With My Life: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Develop a Growth Owner Mindset

Cultivating a Growth Owner Mindset is essential for accepting challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth. As James Clear emphasizes in his book 'Atomic Habits,' small changes in behavior, fueled by a growth mindset, can lead to significant transformations over time.

This mindset shift can transform how you approach obstacles, helping you to see them as integral parts of the equation of life rather than setbacks.

In my journey, developing this mindset was a game-changer. My formula, aka the equation of life, has guided my transformation. Your beliefs + actions + time = the person you become. This formula helped me shift from feeling like a victim to becoming a successful business entrepreneur.

When I was building my own business, Doorstep Delivery, I faced numerous setbacks. From having our business plan stolen to being robbed by our general manager, the journey was filled with challenges. However, I realized that these obstacles were temporary roadblocks. By adopting a growth-owner mindset, I took ownership of my journey instead of playing the victim.

This mindset allowed me to pivot during tough times, merge with Bite Squad, and ultimately sell the company for $320.

Not only business; this mindset helped me to thrive in making meaningful relationships and replace my bad habits with successful habits in all core areas of life. Hence, changing the way you think is the first step to live the life you want.

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right― Henry Ford

Find Out Different Growth Mindset Activities for Kids to Develop Growth Mindset

Actionable tips:

• Self-Reflection: Identify a recent challenge you faced and reflect on how it contributed to your growth. Write down what you learned from the experience and how it can be applied to future situations.

• Reframe thoughts: Practice reframing setbacks as learning opportunities and remind yourself that each step, whether forward or backward, is part of your growth process.

• Set small, incremental learning goals: Focus on progress rather than perfection. Break down larger goals into manageable tasks, track your progress, and celebrate each small achievement.

2. Identify Who You Are and What You Want

Discovering what you should do with your life starts with a deep understanding of yourself. By exploring your passions, values, strengths, desired impact, key experiences, and preferred lifestyle, you can gain clarity on your direction.

In my journey, I found that focusing on five core areas of life—mindset, Career and finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Emotional Health—was essential for achieving balance and growth.

These five core areas are the pillars of a fulfilling life. Ignoring any one of them can significantly impact your overall quality of life.

For example, neglecting your physical health can impact your energy levels and overall well-being, which in turn can affect your relationships and career. Similarly, not nurturing your emotional health can lead to stress and burnout, making it difficult to maintain a positive mindset and productive career.

To help you identify these core areas in your life, I created a 2-minute Core Values Quiz. This quiz can help you establish a quick baseline of where you currently stand in each of the five core areas and what you need to fix to level up.

Read More: How Can Managing Your Personal Life Help With Reaching Your Goals

The 6 Deep Questions to Discover Your Life Purpose:

Here are six questions to ponder if you are struggling to find your why:

1. What are my passions and interests?

Passions and interests are the activities that excite and engage you. They can guide your career and personal choices, helping you find fulfillment. Reflect on the activities that make you lose track of time and bring you joy.

Actionable tip: Make a list of activities you love and feel passionate about. Consider how these can be incorporated into your career path or hobbies.

2. What are my core values?

Your core values are the fundamental beliefs that drive your decisions and behavior. Aligning your life with these values ensures that your actions are meaningful and satisfying.

Actionable tip: Identify your top five personal core values. These could include things like honesty, creativity, family, or personal growth. Reflect on how your current life aligns with these values and where adjustments might be needed.

3. What are my strengths and skills?

Leveraging your strengths and skills can lead to a more fulfilling life. These are the abilities you excel at and enjoy using, which can guide you toward a career or activities that resonate with you.

Actionable tip:

1. List your top skills and strengths.

2. Think about how you can apply these in different areas of your life to achieve a balanced life.

3. Be brutally honest with yourself.

4. What impact do I want to have on the world?

Consider the legacy you want to leave. What contributions do you want to make to your community, industry, or the world at large? Understanding this can help you set meaningful goals.

Actionable tip: Write down the changes you want to see in the world and how you can contribute to those changes. This could be through your work, volunteer activities, or personal projects.

5. What experiences have shaped me the most?

Reflecting on past experiences can provide insights into what truly matters to you. These experiences often reveal patterns and lessons that can guide your future decisions.

Actionable tip: Create a timeline of significant life events and note the lessons learned from each. Identify common themes that indicate your true passions and values.

6. What kind of lifestyle do I want to lead?

Think about the type of daily life that would bring you the most satisfaction and joy. This includes your work environment, relationships, leisure activities, and personal routines.

Actionable tip: Describe your ideal day, from morning to night. Consider how your current lifestyle matches this ideal and what changes could bring you closer to it.

Read More: How to Upgrade your Life

Answering these questions can help you gain a clearer understanding of who you are and what you want out of life.

3. Set Clear Achievable Goals

Once you have a better understanding of your passions, values, strengths, and desired impact, it's time to turn these insights into specific, actionable goals.

As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, 'A goal without a plan is just a wish.'

The SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) provides a powerful tool for translating insights into actionable steps.

For example, when I was building my food delivery business, I set a SMART goal to transition from my previous job to focus full-time on the new venture. The goal was: "Within the next six months, I will leave my current job and fully dedicate myself to Doorstep Delivery by securing $50,000 in funding, developing the initial business plan, and establishing partnerships with at least five local restaurants."

This goal was specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, providing a clear path forward.

In my experience, setting clear goals in alignment with the five core areas of life—Mindset, Career & Finances, Relationships, Physical Health, Emotional Health, & Giving Back—has been crucial to achieving balance and success.

Tips to Set SMART Goals:

• If you feel stagnant and lacking direction, a goal might be: "By the end of the next quarter, I will read one book related to personal growth each month and implement at least one new strategy from the book into my daily routine."

• If you feel unfulfilled in your current job, a SMART goal could be: "Within the next six months, I will transition to a new job that aligns with my passion for environmental conservation by applying to at least three relevant job openings each week and attending two networking events per month."

• Struggling to maintain a regular exercise routine? a SMART goal could be: "Starting next week, I will exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week by joining a local gym and signing up for classes that I enjoy, such as yoga and spinning.

• Struggling with mental health issues? You could aim for: "Over the next three months, I will reduce my stress levels by practicing mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes each morning and attending a weekly stress management workshop.

  Remember, whatever the pain point you are struggling with, you can create a SMART goal to break it down into small, actionable steps.

4. Form Habits to Support Your Goals

Integrating supportive habits into your daily routine is crucial for long-term success.

A study by Phillippa Lally et al. at University College London found that, on average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This reinforces the importance of consistent practice in building habits that support your goals. They provide the ongoing momentum you need to stay on track, echoing Jim Ryun's words, 'Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.'"

The Moore Momentum (MM) System's 4 Momentum Boosting Methods can help make this process enjoyable and effective.

To form lasting habits, it's essential to design your environment and routines in a way that supports your goals.

Here are practical examples of how to implement each of the 4 momentum-boosting methods:

Make it Obvious:

Design your environment to make cues for desired habits prominent. For example, if you want to work on skill development, place your learning materials or books on your work desk. Similarly, you could put a journal on your bedside table to remind you to write daily reflections.

Make it Easy:

Break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Use habit stacking to ease into new routines. Habit stacking involves pairing a new habit with an existing one, making it easier to integrate into your daily routine.

Example Exercise: Spend 10 minutes reviewing development materials after your morning coffee. Practice deep breathing exercises right after you brush your teeth each morning.

Make it Fun/Rewarding:

Enhance habit formation by making it enjoyable. Use temptation bundling and celebration techniques to associate positive emotions with your habits. Temptation bundling involves pairing a less enjoyable task with something you enjoy.

Example Exercise: After an hour of focused work, reward yourself with a short break to read your favorite book or listen to music. After completing your daily journaling or meditation session, treat yourself to a relaxing activity, like a warm bath or a favorite snack.

Make it Automatic:

Set up systems to automate your habits. Use habit trackers or technology to remind you and track your progress. Automation reduces the need for willpower and makes it easier to stick to your habits.

Actionable tips:

1. Set up calendar reminders to allocate time for your goals.

2. Use project management tools to track your progress.

3. Use apps that send daily reminders and track your streaks, or set up nightly reminders on your phone to log your thoughts in a journal.

   Read More: How to Track Habits

5. Seek Support and Build an Accountability System

Support systems are crucial when you feel lost or stuck. They help you navigate self-discovery and find your life purpose. Research by Kathleen Milkman et al. at the University of Chicago suggests that social accountability can significantly boost goal achievement. Mentors, life coaches, or supportive communities can provide that accountability and act as sounding boards during challenging times.

Look for individuals or a life coach who can offer step-by-step guidance, especially during times when you feel uncertain or confused. Reach out to them through professional networks or local meetups. Engaging with these support systems can open new possibilities and help you overcome other responsibilities that may be holding you back.

For example, if you're considering a career change, find a mentor in the new field who can offer practical advice and support. Or, if you feel stuck or need help with core values, professional coaches or therapists can provide tailored strategies and support.

Actionable tips:

1. Identify potential mentors or supportive communities related to your goals.

2. Reach out and engage with them to build a network.

3. Spend time reflecting on the advice and feedback you receive to incorporate it into your action plan.

6. Celebrate Your Progress

Celebrating your progress is crucial for maintaining motivation and reinforcing positive behaviors. As Walt Whitman said, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself," acknowledging your achievements, big or small, is a powerful tool for self-motivation. By gamifying your life, you can turn your goals into an enjoyable journey with rewards and milestones.

Actionable Tips to Reward Yourself:

• Daily Rewards: After completing your tasks, reward yourself with small treats, such as enjoying a favorite snack, taking a short walk, or indulging in a hobby.

• Weekly Rewards: Reflect on your accomplishments and enjoy something special, such as a movie night or a dinner out.

• Monthly Rewards: Celebrate larger milestones with significant rewards like a weekend trip, buying something special, or planning a fun outing.

• Track progress: Use a habit-tracking app to earn points for completing tasks. Set milestones that trigger rewards, making the journey more engaging and fun.

Conclusion: What Should I Do with My Life

Finding your life's purpose can seem overwhelming, but with a structured approach, it's achievable.

By adopting a growth-owner mindset and focusing on the five core areas—Mindset, Career & Finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Emotional Health & Giving Back—I found true fulfillment.

Start by developing a Growth Owner Mindset, which transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. Identify who you are and what you want by reflecting on your passions, values, strengths, and desired impact. Set clear, actionable goals that align with these insights and establish supportive habits to achieve them.

Remember, the most important business you own is your life. Managing your life with the same dedication and strategic planning as a business can lead to incredible results. Your beliefs + actions + time = the person you become. This formula helped me shift from feeling like a victim to becoming successful. By applying these principles, you can also reinvent your life.

🚀 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE?

You've taken the first steps by exploring how to find your life's direction and build success habits. Now, let's make it personal and transformative!

Imagine having a dedicated guide to help you implement the strategies and insights you've just learned. I am here to provide personalized support, helping you find your purpose and overcome mental barriers, leading you to lasting success.

My coaching services are designed to help you:

• Discover and clarify your true life purpose

• Build long-term success habits tailored to your goals

• Overcome mental barriers and boost your confidence

• Achieve holistic growth and happiness in all areas of life

Start by taking the Core Values Quiz. This quiz will help you identify your strengths and areas for growth, providing a foundation for our personalized coaching sessions.

Visit my Coaching Page to learn more and take the first step towards your ultimate transformation. Let's make your momentum unstoppable together!

FAQs

1. How do you decide what to do in your life?

Reflect on your passions, strengths, and values. Seek activities and careers that align with these, bringing you fulfillment and purpose. Experiment with different paths and listen to your intuition to find what resonates most with you.

2. How can I do best in my life?

Set clear, achievable goals and commit to continuous learning and adaptation. Maintain a growth mindset, prioritize your physical and mental well-being, and cultivate meaningful relationships. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow and improve.

3. What to do with my life at 40?

Reassess your goals, values, and what brings you joy. Embrace new opportunities for personal and professional growth, and don't be afraid to pivot or start fresh. Focus on activities and pursuits that bring fulfillment and align with your current aspirations.

4. Do choices matter in life?

Absolutely, choices shape your life's path and outcomes. Thoughtful decisions, aligned with your values and long-term goals, lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Each choice can be a step towards the life you desire.