How do people figure out what they want out of life?

[Anonymous]

Im almost 24 years old and yet im still in the same place as i was when i graduated high school at 18. Same awful low paying job, the same “i dont know what i want to do” answer to everyone who asks me why im not in college. I tried, and dropped out fairly quickly because i had no idea what i was studying for. Im such a failure. My friends and graduating college, moving away for better jobs, making their family proud. Why am i the one who is stuck?

Updates

+1 y

I think a lot of people are at least good at something even if they dont know what they want, and they choose that path. I dont have anything to choose from. Im kinda dumb.

[gorydetails]

What do you like? There is a book called "StrengthsFinder 2.0" - look into buying that. It will help you at least identify your personality strengths and maybe help guide you to a fulfilling career.

[Staximus]

Sometimes it takes a while to figure out. Start by getting a better job, something that you would like better or at least get paid more.

[dynamicyandere]

For me, I did a lot of soul searching, a lot of thinking — years of that.


Because of that I know myself. I know who I am, what I stand for, what I want.


Some good questions to ask yourself are…


What lifestyle do you want to achieve?


What would that look like?


What would fulfill you?


What kind of life would you die happy living?


What would be a good way to go?


Then, when you have a vivid picture of what your dream life is, when you have a vivid picture of what your dream self is, you now make your life decisions with that in mind.


The decisions you make in life should bringing you closer and closer to that life aspiration.


For myself for example. I used to work a minimum wage job. My dream was to achieve location freedom, financial freedom, and time freedom.


Slowly and gradually I made more and more career decisions that pushed me in that direction.


7 years later, I have complete location freedom, I can work from anywhere in the world now as a remote independent contractor. I’m typing this from a tropical island as we speak.


The next thing is financial freedom, and I’ve worked and networked my way to rubbing shoulders with multimillionaires.


I’ve been working closely with entrepreneurs and CEOs, learning everything I can, so I can start and run a business of my own down the road.


That way, I can obtain the next two things I personally want: financial freedom and time freedom.


So it’s all about taking the time to really understand who you are and what you want in life — then making decisions in life that are consistent with that.


Then, bit by bit, those decisions compound and you end up closer and closer to your dream life.

[Malwi93]

Lol what if I can't get what I want?

[dynamicyandere]

@Malwi93 Then you go for something that you believe is still obtainable. It’s better to shoot for the moon and land among the stars than to not strive for what’s possible.

Like, I don’t think I would ever be able to be an Olympic gold medalist in swimming — I’m not the best swimmer and I will have started training too late.

But, I believe that I can still become an internationally known writer if I truly learn to master business and combine that with my creative talent and skills.

That’s something that isn’t limited by my youth — it’s a matter of my self-discipline and internal drive. Just how bad do I want it, right?

You can pick lifestyles or life aspirations where you believe that you could get there if you really gave it your all. 💪

Or, hey, sometimes what one wants can be as simple as a happy marriage. That’s also something that I want. And I work really hard to improve myself so that I become the best partner I can be.

[leahzrc]

I am 22 and got my highschool diploma at 20 after dropping out at 18. I barely took any college classes. I understand where you are at. At 20 was also the age where I began communicating to spirits. God has a plan for you. I am just as "behind" as you percieve yourself. We are in this together and we will find our purposes in life. I believe in you. God Bless

[abc3643]

Ask yourself this:

If I won the lottery tomorrow and never had to worry about money or a job for the rest of my life, what would I do with myself?

The answer to this question is what will inform you as to your path forward in life.

[Heolurt]

I used to want to start my own family and own my own house, I live in and own my dream house but I'll never have a family. After figuring out what I originally wanted out of life was never going to happen, I no longer knew what I wanted out of life and I still don't and I'm 36y/o, I even to a class on finding out what you want to do with your life and turns out I'm perfect for the shit job I'm already doing which sucks.

[slatyb]

If you had to do the same thing day after day, what would it be?

[Unit1]

with time and self reflection. Happens best when being alone. The longer the more Clear the picture.

[KrakenAttackin]

Look into certifications rather than degree programs. You can gain an interesting and marketable skill very quickly. This might be a start to find your path.

[sheikalana]

Try different jobs. Read about different career paths.

[WhitneySnow]

You need to figure out what you’re good at and what makes you happy

[normandi]

Don't worry all big tech billionaires are college drop out... u will never know what God is hiding for you

[Nifrayu]

You're not alone. I am the same way.