I used to be able answer the question of what I was going to do when I grew up with ease—a ballerina, zookeeper, astronaut, princess, or rock star.
Anything that involved cute animals, dressing up or rockets was bound to make me wildly successful and famous. My well-meaning parents backed me up, telling me I could do anything if I put my mind to it. The choices were endless.
If you’re lucky, they still are endless. But I can attest to the fact that this actually makes it incredibly difficult to decide what one thing you should spend your life doing.
You all now have the added anxiety of seeing a new story every day about some bastard Gen Y genius who invented an insanely clever thing and is a kazillionaire and philanthropist by the age of 20. Y’know, no pressure or anything.
I’m afraid I don’t have all the answers for you on the issue of what to do with your life, but I suggest you approach this the way many of life’s confusions are managed—write a list.
Things to make lists about:
• What do I really like doing with my time?
• What would I like to do more of?
• What do I spend a lot of time doing without noticing hours are slipping by?
• Who am I trying to impress? Do I need to?
• The best job I’ve had so far was good because:
• The job I hated the most sucked because:
• What’s really important to me? In life and in work?
• If I were to have a perfect work day, it would involve doing this stuff:
• What could I absolutely not tolerate in a job?
• What am I willing to fight for?
• What would I do for free anyway?
• Things I am NOT doing because I’m scared I won’t be good at them:
• At the end of my life, what am I most likely to regret NOT doing?
Hopefully the lists will help you clarify some stuff about yourself, but the important thing is not to freak out if you still don’t know. It takes some people awhile, and in fact some people never figure it out—but that doesn’t mean they enjoy life any less. *
Still confused? Email auntiesharon@salient.org.nz