By Felix Prasetyo
Have you ever felt like there’s something more to life than what you’re doing? Like you were meant for something greater? I used to feel like that all the time, and although I’m still trying to figure out what it is, from my experience (through trial and error), I’ve found eight ways that can help you discover your true calling in life.
1. Question Everything
If someone comes up with an idea for your life, or if something occurs as a chance event, don’t accept it as the truth immediately. Question it first! For instance, someone says that you should become a doctor because you have a knack for science. Well, first, does this person actually know you? Moreover, if you really think being a doctor is best for you, then research the pros and cons before making your final decision. Remember to always question everything, and ask yourself, “Is this really for me?”
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
There’s no such thing as failure to me. Instead, I think of it as only feedback. If you give something your all and it doesn’t work out, so what? You can learn from your mistakes and do better next time. If the opposite happens, i.e., everything goes exactly how you’ve planned then maybe you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. Perhaps you need to try something new that has more potential for success than what you’ve done in the past.
Just because something turns out well doesn’t mean that’s the way it’s always going to turn out. Likewise, just because something didn’t go your way doesn’t mean there isn’t a valuable lesson you can learn from that experience.
3. Be Open-Minded
As cliché as it sounds, you don’t even know what you’re capable of until you try it yourself, so be open to new challenges. If after trying something out, whether it’s taking an art class at your local community center or applying for a job at another company, you decide if it’s the right path for you. The advantage to being open to new things is that not only can it be fun, but you also gain self-knowledge on what you like, don’t like, and want out of life.
4. Be Curious
Be interested in the world around you. If we go through our daily lives without ever paying attention to what’s happening around us, or stopping to look at something that catches our eye, then how can we expect to be inspired? Think about it. If all we did each day was work and sleep with no time for ourselves in between, when are we supposed to have the energy and drive to go after something big in life? On top of this, people are always coming up with new and brilliant ideas these days. Therefore, by being curious and having an open mind, we can learn more about the world and its people. We then realize there’s so much more to life.
5. Travel
Living in our heads too often is a dangerous thing. We get caught up in what we think and feel, and what other people think and feel, that we forget how important it is to explore the world around us. By visiting new places, trying new foods, activities, as well as meeting different kinds of people helps us discover who we are by comparison and contrast.
6. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
It’s true what they say: “Misery loves company.” And while sometimes it can be nice to have someone there for us when we’re having a hard time, it’s not exactly the healthiest relationship to have.
If you find yourself spending time with people who are always complaining and talking about how they don’t like their lives, or wish they could change things but never actually doing anything about it, then chances are they aren’t the best influences in your life. Not only can their poor attitudes rub off on you, but they can also hamper your personal growth journey.
7. Be True to Yourself
If we try to act like someone we’re not, then we’re never going to be happy because we’ll always feel like something is missing. We all have our own personalities and quirks. By being true to who we are and what our values are, we make better decisions for ourselves. Everyone has a story: let yours out!
8. Create
Whether it’s by writing, painting, singing, or making YouTube videos, creating something from scratch can give you a sense of fulfillment. Being able to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences through your chosen medium with the world is important and valuable. Not just for you but for other people too. And the best part about creating is that you get to decide how it ends. Choose something that speaks to you and go all out!
Final Thoughts
What’s your true calling? We all have one! You may not be able to pinpoint it or know what you’re passionate about but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It might take some time, trial and error, and patience to figure out who you are as a person and how you can apply this knowledge to be happy, fulfilled, and make a difference in the world. So keep on searching for your true self!
About the Author
Felix Prasetyo is the founder and writer at Lifengoal.com, where he talks about anything related to personal growth. Download his free ebook, “The 8 Relationship Advice I Wish I’d Known 10 Years Ago,” featuring the likes of Simon Sinek, Jay Shetty, Matthew Hussey, and more!
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