9 answers
Diana
Student
Wilsonville, Oregon
1
Question
9 answers
Janna McLaurin
2
Answers
Updated
Janna’s Answer
The idea of "Finding your purpose" can be too overwhelming. While work will always be work, it's more important that you choose a career that aligns to your interests or aligns with your values. Especially, since we spend so much time at work. Think about what your interests are - what comes naturally to you? Are their causes you feel strongly about? Do you find enjoyment on impacting peoples lives directly? Are you creative?
Once you have a better idea of what interests you have, research jobs that align to those industries and interests and what education/knowledge is generally need to go into that field.
When possible, try to intern or get jobs that give you exposure to those fields. And remember, your interests might change or shift when you start learning more about that field or job, and that's ok. It's just as important to understand what is not for you, as it is to understand what you do like!
Once you have a better idea of what interests you have, research jobs that align to those industries and interests and what education/knowledge is generally need to go into that field.
When possible, try to intern or get jobs that give you exposure to those fields. And remember, your interests might change or shift when you start learning more about that field or job, and that's ok. It's just as important to understand what is not for you, as it is to understand what you do like!
Zoya Naeem
freelancer
22
Answers
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Zoya’s Answer
Finding your purpose, especially in relation to a career, is a deeply personal journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It can involve exploring your interests, skills, values, and what brings you fulfillment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you reflect and discover your career path:
1. Self-Reflection
- Identify Your Interests: Think about what activities, subjects, or hobbies you genuinely enjoy. These might point you toward careers where your passions align with your work.
- Recognize Your Strengths: What are you good at? Identifying your natural talents can help guide you toward careers that allow you to leverage these abilities.
- Reflect on Values: What matters most to you? Do you prioritize creativity, financial security, helping others, independence, or adventure? Aligning your career with your core values will help you find meaning in what you do.
2. Explore Your Options
- Research Careers: Look into different industries or fields that match your interests and values. You could read about career paths, talk to professionals, or even shadow someone to get a firsthand experience.
- Try Internships or Side Projects: Hands-on experience is valuable. If you’re unsure about a field, try internships, part-time work, or freelance projects. You’ll gain insights into what you enjoy and what you don’t.
- Experiment and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities or change direction if something doesn’t feel right. Purpose evolves over time, and your career may take different shapes.
3. Find What You Care About
- Ask Yourself: What Problems Do I Want to Solve? Purpose often comes from contributing to something bigger than yourself. What social, economic, or environmental issues are you passionate about? You may find fulfillment working in a field that addresses these concerns.
- Who Do You Want to Serve? Think about the groups or individuals you want to impact through your work—whether it’s clients, communities, or the environment.
4. Align Passion with Practicality
- Consider Lifestyle and Goals: Does the career path you’re interested in align with the lifestyle you envision? If financial stability, work-life balance, or flexibility is important to you, consider whether certain career choices will meet those needs.
- Education and Skills: Do you need further education or skill development to pursue your career? Investing in learning can open doors to your desired path.
5. **Look for Inspiration
- Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can offer advice, share their career journey, and help you navigate your own. They can provide perspective and guidance based on their experience.
- Read Books or Attend Workshops: Career coaching, seminars, or personal development books can help you clarify your goals and purpose.
6. Be Open to Change
- Embrace Growth: Your career purpose may evolve over time as you grow and gain new experiences. What feels right now may shift as your circumstances or interests change. Be adaptable and open to the journey.
Ultimately, finding your career purpose involves a combination of introspection, exploration, and real-world experience. Taking small steps toward what excites you will gradually reveal the path that feels most aligned with who you are.
1. Self-Reflection
- Identify Your Interests: Think about what activities, subjects, or hobbies you genuinely enjoy. These might point you toward careers where your passions align with your work.
- Recognize Your Strengths: What are you good at? Identifying your natural talents can help guide you toward careers that allow you to leverage these abilities.
- Reflect on Values: What matters most to you? Do you prioritize creativity, financial security, helping others, independence, or adventure? Aligning your career with your core values will help you find meaning in what you do.
2. Explore Your Options
- Research Careers: Look into different industries or fields that match your interests and values. You could read about career paths, talk to professionals, or even shadow someone to get a firsthand experience.
- Try Internships or Side Projects: Hands-on experience is valuable. If you’re unsure about a field, try internships, part-time work, or freelance projects. You’ll gain insights into what you enjoy and what you don’t.
- Experiment and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities or change direction if something doesn’t feel right. Purpose evolves over time, and your career may take different shapes.
3. Find What You Care About
- Ask Yourself: What Problems Do I Want to Solve? Purpose often comes from contributing to something bigger than yourself. What social, economic, or environmental issues are you passionate about? You may find fulfillment working in a field that addresses these concerns.
- Who Do You Want to Serve? Think about the groups or individuals you want to impact through your work—whether it’s clients, communities, or the environment.
4. Align Passion with Practicality
- Consider Lifestyle and Goals: Does the career path you’re interested in align with the lifestyle you envision? If financial stability, work-life balance, or flexibility is important to you, consider whether certain career choices will meet those needs.
- Education and Skills: Do you need further education or skill development to pursue your career? Investing in learning can open doors to your desired path.
5. **Look for Inspiration
- Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can offer advice, share their career journey, and help you navigate your own. They can provide perspective and guidance based on their experience.
- Read Books or Attend Workshops: Career coaching, seminars, or personal development books can help you clarify your goals and purpose.
6. Be Open to Change
- Embrace Growth: Your career purpose may evolve over time as you grow and gain new experiences. What feels right now may shift as your circumstances or interests change. Be adaptable and open to the journey.
Ultimately, finding your career purpose involves a combination of introspection, exploration, and real-world experience. Taking small steps toward what excites you will gradually reveal the path that feels most aligned with who you are.
Christopher Bain
Director, Performance Measurement (Ops Finance Related)
10
Answers
Lexington, Kentucky
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Diana,
I can relate to this question, and it can be very challenging. I would like to give you some specific action items that may help you, as well as some mental tricks to help weed through the endless possibilities.
(1) Be honest with yourself. This is easy to say and hard if not painful at times to do. You may find you enjoy a specific activity/hobby/work, but this does not necessarily mean it is your purpose. If could just be meant to be a hobby. These types of things present themselves throughout your life and can be "traps". It can be tricky because you may be very good at it, but that is not the same thing as a purpose.
I will give you an example. I play classical piano, and I have been told I am convincingly good to the extent many novices think I am a concert pianist. I am no concert pianist though! When measured up against a real concert pianist I do not even begin to compare. I know that based on my input effort and output results I will never be at that level no matter how positive I am and how hard I work at it. Despite this I am still quite good. Clearly this has a place in my life, but I had decide what that was and how significant, weighting accordingly.
We live in a "you can do anything" world. This sounds good, but there are some practical limitations and if you think about it is somewhat the opposite of the point of your question. This type of honesty may be uncomfortable at first, but it will save you agony later. The trick is when you DO run into your purpose, it may still require work. You may still feel inadequate at first. You have to be able to know when you can push farther than you think and when you cannot. Only you can decide this.
(2) Try as many different things as possible as early as possible. Many companies and organizations offer short internships. Try to take advantage of these types of opportunities. Try to compartmentalize different lines of work at a high level. Example (1) Arts (2) Business (3) Engineering (4) Sciences (5) Medicine (6) Military & Law Enforcement and pick a good sample from each of those. Rule out the ones that clearly are not a fit and don't look back. When you find the thing that "clicks", that is when you go all in and focus hard.
(3) Consider your personality and preferences and the types of work that align most closely with those. This may help you narrow it down faster. For example, if you are someone who likes to be outdoors (Ex: Park Ranger), you may want to bypass anything that is predominantly indoors (Ex: Analyst). If you like action, maybe you want to consider the Coast Guard. You get the idea...
(4) Seek out opinions from people you trust. Sometimes things manifest more obviously to others than to ourselves (atleast at first). The key here is to make sure you trust the person you are talking to. Always weight the advice given based on your level of trust and knowledge of that person.
(5) Lastly, although it may sound unremarkable, I found my career fit in part by using the bureau of labor statistics website (.gov) if you can believe it. I was unhappy with my job as a financial planner and was more interested in being an analyst (which is a very different thing). Their website had what I would call very accurate write ups on many different professions. I found if very useful, and a key input to realigning myself. Just reading the descriptions of various jobs was helpful to me. Try it out!
Best of luck to you and thank you for asking this important question!
I can relate to this question, and it can be very challenging. I would like to give you some specific action items that may help you, as well as some mental tricks to help weed through the endless possibilities.
(1) Be honest with yourself. This is easy to say and hard if not painful at times to do. You may find you enjoy a specific activity/hobby/work, but this does not necessarily mean it is your purpose. If could just be meant to be a hobby. These types of things present themselves throughout your life and can be "traps". It can be tricky because you may be very good at it, but that is not the same thing as a purpose.
I will give you an example. I play classical piano, and I have been told I am convincingly good to the extent many novices think I am a concert pianist. I am no concert pianist though! When measured up against a real concert pianist I do not even begin to compare. I know that based on my input effort and output results I will never be at that level no matter how positive I am and how hard I work at it. Despite this I am still quite good. Clearly this has a place in my life, but I had decide what that was and how significant, weighting accordingly.
We live in a "you can do anything" world. This sounds good, but there are some practical limitations and if you think about it is somewhat the opposite of the point of your question. This type of honesty may be uncomfortable at first, but it will save you agony later. The trick is when you DO run into your purpose, it may still require work. You may still feel inadequate at first. You have to be able to know when you can push farther than you think and when you cannot. Only you can decide this.
(2) Try as many different things as possible as early as possible. Many companies and organizations offer short internships. Try to take advantage of these types of opportunities. Try to compartmentalize different lines of work at a high level. Example (1) Arts (2) Business (3) Engineering (4) Sciences (5) Medicine (6) Military & Law Enforcement and pick a good sample from each of those. Rule out the ones that clearly are not a fit and don't look back. When you find the thing that "clicks", that is when you go all in and focus hard.
(3) Consider your personality and preferences and the types of work that align most closely with those. This may help you narrow it down faster. For example, if you are someone who likes to be outdoors (Ex: Park Ranger), you may want to bypass anything that is predominantly indoors (Ex: Analyst). If you like action, maybe you want to consider the Coast Guard. You get the idea...
(4) Seek out opinions from people you trust. Sometimes things manifest more obviously to others than to ourselves (atleast at first). The key here is to make sure you trust the person you are talking to. Always weight the advice given based on your level of trust and knowledge of that person.
(5) Lastly, although it may sound unremarkable, I found my career fit in part by using the bureau of labor statistics website (.gov) if you can believe it. I was unhappy with my job as a financial planner and was more interested in being an analyst (which is a very different thing). Their website had what I would call very accurate write ups on many different professions. I found if very useful, and a key input to realigning myself. Just reading the descriptions of various jobs was helpful to me. Try it out!
Best of luck to you and thank you for asking this important question!
Robert Thomas
Industrial Mechanic
1
Answer
Mobile, Alabama
Updated
Robert’s Answer
There are literally thousands of individuals who ask the same question, what am I going to do with me? How do I decide? First thing is to not over think it, you can worry yourself to death trying to figure out your next move. Take time to breath. do what comes natural, what makes you feel good. As the old saying goes find something you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life. For me it was fixing things. In today's world you can really be anything you want to be if you work hard towards that goal don't take short cuts and study your craft, remember knowledge is power. Be all you can be for yourself
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
469
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hello Diana,
Embarking on the quest to discover your purpose is like embarking on a thrilling journey of self-discovery, where you get to delve into your passions, values, and strengths. Kick-start this exciting adventure by delving into what truly sparks your interest and fills you with energy—those activities or causes that bring you immense satisfaction. Reflect on the talents you naturally possess and think about how you can utilize them to assist others or contribute to a cause that's larger than yourself. Ponder over your fundamental values—the principles that steer your decisions and actions. Don't worry if your purpose doesn't seem clear right away, it's perfectly fine. It's something that can gradually unfold and evolve over time through your life experiences, personal development, and by keeping your mind open to fresh possibilities. Remember, your purpose is about harmonizing what you are passionate about with how you can create a positive ripple in the world.
Warm regards,
Embarking on the quest to discover your purpose is like embarking on a thrilling journey of self-discovery, where you get to delve into your passions, values, and strengths. Kick-start this exciting adventure by delving into what truly sparks your interest and fills you with energy—those activities or causes that bring you immense satisfaction. Reflect on the talents you naturally possess and think about how you can utilize them to assist others or contribute to a cause that's larger than yourself. Ponder over your fundamental values—the principles that steer your decisions and actions. Don't worry if your purpose doesn't seem clear right away, it's perfectly fine. It's something that can gradually unfold and evolve over time through your life experiences, personal development, and by keeping your mind open to fresh possibilities. Remember, your purpose is about harmonizing what you are passionate about with how you can create a positive ripple in the world.
Warm regards,
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6230
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Diana!
Finding Your Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Self-Reflection To find your purpose, begin with self-reflection. This involves assessing your interests, values, and passions. Consider what activities make you feel fulfilled or excited. Journaling can be a helpful tool in this process; write down your thoughts about what you enjoy doing and what you believe is important in life.
2. Identify Your Strengths and Skills Next, evaluate your strengths and skills. What are you naturally good at? This could include both hard skills (like writing or coding) and soft skills (like communication or empathy). You might take assessments such as the StrengthsFinder or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to gain insights into your abilities.
3. Explore Career Options Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, research various career options that align with your interests and strengths. Look into fields like psychology, journalism, or any other area that resonates with you. Use resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to gather information about different careers, including job outlook, required education, and potential salaries.
4. Set Goals After identifying potential career paths, set specific goals for yourself. These could be short-term goals (like completing a relevant course) or long-term goals (like obtaining a degree in your chosen field). Make sure these goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
5. Gain Experience Experience is crucial in finding your purpose within a career context. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs related to your interests. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your resume but also provide clarity on whether a particular field is right for you.
6. Network Networking can play an essential role in discovering your purpose and advancing in your chosen career path. Attend industry events, join professional organizations related to your field of interest, and connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to learn more about their experiences.
7. Seek Guidance Consider seeking guidance from mentors or career counselors who can provide valuable insights based on their experiences and knowledge of the industry. They can help you navigate challenges and offer advice tailored to your situation.
8. Stay Open-Minded Finally, remain open-minded throughout this journey. Your purpose may evolve over time as you gain new experiences and insights about yourself and the world around you.
By following these steps systematically—self-reflection, identifying strengths, exploring options, setting goals, gaining experience, networking, seeking guidance, and staying open-minded—you can effectively find a sense of purpose that aligns with both personal fulfillment and professional aspirations.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salary ranges, educational requirements which are crucial for making informed career choices.
2. Gallup Strengths Center
Gallup offers tools like the StrengthsFinder assessment which helps individuals identify their unique strengths that can guide them toward fulfilling careers aligned with their abilities.
3. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides resources on psychology-related careers along with guidance on self-assessment techniques that can aid individuals in understanding their motivations and interests better.
God Bless You!
JC.
Finding Your Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Self-Reflection To find your purpose, begin with self-reflection. This involves assessing your interests, values, and passions. Consider what activities make you feel fulfilled or excited. Journaling can be a helpful tool in this process; write down your thoughts about what you enjoy doing and what you believe is important in life.
2. Identify Your Strengths and Skills Next, evaluate your strengths and skills. What are you naturally good at? This could include both hard skills (like writing or coding) and soft skills (like communication or empathy). You might take assessments such as the StrengthsFinder or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to gain insights into your abilities.
3. Explore Career Options Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, research various career options that align with your interests and strengths. Look into fields like psychology, journalism, or any other area that resonates with you. Use resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to gather information about different careers, including job outlook, required education, and potential salaries.
4. Set Goals After identifying potential career paths, set specific goals for yourself. These could be short-term goals (like completing a relevant course) or long-term goals (like obtaining a degree in your chosen field). Make sure these goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
5. Gain Experience Experience is crucial in finding your purpose within a career context. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs related to your interests. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your resume but also provide clarity on whether a particular field is right for you.
6. Network Networking can play an essential role in discovering your purpose and advancing in your chosen career path. Attend industry events, join professional organizations related to your field of interest, and connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to learn more about their experiences.
7. Seek Guidance Consider seeking guidance from mentors or career counselors who can provide valuable insights based on their experiences and knowledge of the industry. They can help you navigate challenges and offer advice tailored to your situation.
8. Stay Open-Minded Finally, remain open-minded throughout this journey. Your purpose may evolve over time as you gain new experiences and insights about yourself and the world around you.
By following these steps systematically—self-reflection, identifying strengths, exploring options, setting goals, gaining experience, networking, seeking guidance, and staying open-minded—you can effectively find a sense of purpose that aligns with both personal fulfillment and professional aspirations.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salary ranges, educational requirements which are crucial for making informed career choices.
2. Gallup Strengths Center
Gallup offers tools like the StrengthsFinder assessment which helps individuals identify their unique strengths that can guide them toward fulfilling careers aligned with their abilities.
3. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides resources on psychology-related careers along with guidance on self-assessment techniques that can aid individuals in understanding their motivations and interests better.
God Bless You!
JC.
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
105
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Diana, Excellent question! You mention finding your purpose in terms of career but first you need to take a very personal look at yourself. What do you find meaningful right now? What makes you feel good, feel happy, feel useful? Don't audit yourself in answering- brainstorm everything that comes to mind. You can also work out your core values- values are the principles that drive your life or otherwise stated, the things that make you who you are. Once you do this- and take your time- you can start to look for common threads. If you get stuck with this exercise, ask for someone who knows you very well to contribute. Check out the Enneagram Types if you are unsure about your personality. Personality also contributes to best fit regarding work environment and type of role- for instance leadership vs preference to work independently or part of a team. Another way to go- get a job! Being a worker will give you a lot of information about what you do and do not want. As a student, think about what courses you find most interesting and intriguing. Many people start undergrad with no clue; this is okay. But if you do have a sense for yourself what you want to study, it will guide you in choosing next steps. Not every school offers the same academic programs. Even something as broad as helping others could translate into a career as a Nonprofit program manager, educator, nurse, radiology technician, therapist, coach, school administrator, flight attendant, and more. Most people want to live a purpose driven life; luckily there are a million and one ways to do this- through small acts of kindness to larger vocational pursuits. Let yourself play and explore this question every day. Allow your intuition to speak to you and in turn, listen to what feels right. This is one of the best gifts you can give yourself!
Shelly Lin
Forensic Consultant
42
Answers
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Shelly’s Answer
Choosing the best career or major for yourself involves a thoughtful and systematic approach. Start by conducting a self-assessment to identify your strengths, interests, values, and passions. Consider what activities or subjects excite you and where you naturally excel. Research various career options and the majors that align with them to understand the educational and skill requirements. Seek advice from career counselors, mentors, and professionals in fields you are interested in to gain practical insights. Additionally, consider taking career assessment tests, which can suggest careers that align with your personality and skills. Reflect on your long-term goals and the kind of work environment and lifestyle you envision for yourself. Remember, your career path doesn’t have to be linear; it’s okay to explore and pivot as you grow. By taking these steps and staying open to new experiences, you can find a career or major that is fulfilling and aligned with your personal and professional aspirations.
Charles Ituah
School Counsellor
13
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Hey Diana, finding one's purpose in life is like going to the beach expecting to count the amount of sand and getting an exact figure which is hard and challenging.
So instead of trying to figure out and discover your life's purpose why not start from the present situations in your life by answering these five questions.
1. What is the most important thing that I could be doing at this very moment that would add value to my life and those around me?
2. What major problem is the world facing and what solutions can I think of to solve these problems?
3. What is my why and how does it align with my values?
4. How can I be 1% better everyday?
5. What can I do to make my community safer and happier?
Once you are able to answer these questions, your life's purpose would start to make sense gradually.
You got this my friend.
So instead of trying to figure out and discover your life's purpose why not start from the present situations in your life by answering these five questions.
1. What is the most important thing that I could be doing at this very moment that would add value to my life and those around me?
2. What major problem is the world facing and what solutions can I think of to solve these problems?
3. What is my why and how does it align with my values?
4. How can I be 1% better everyday?
5. What can I do to make my community safer and happier?
Once you are able to answer these questions, your life's purpose would start to make sense gradually.
You got this my friend.