How to Do Anything You Want to Do With Your Life

Co-authored by Kamila Tan

Last Updated: October 15, 2024 References

Do you find yourself asking the question, "Why can't I do anything with my life?" You must realize that you can't wait around for your life to start. You have to set goals and plan how to reach them. The trick to doing whatever you want with your life is to figure out what makes you happy and to not let anything stand in your way of achieving that happiness.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Figuring out What You Want

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1
Experience something new. The more you travel, learn, and experience, the more you find out about yourself, what you love, and what makes you happy.^{[1]
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Kamila Tan
Life and Recovery Coach

Expert Interview. 24 June 2022.} The discovery of new interests will help you figure out what you want to do with your life.
- There are endless experiences you can try. You can plant a garden, take trips around the world, read books, eat new foods, or learn a new language. Do as many new things as you can.
- Eventually, you will stumble across something that you love.^{[2]
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- Don’t be afraid to change course if you don't feel aligned with your work or your current hobbies. There's always time to experience something new.^{[3]
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  Kamila Tan
  Life and Recovery Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 24 June 2022.}
2
Write down all of your interests and dreams. Record anything you have ever wanted to do in your life that you think will make you happy. Once you have your list, put them in order from most desired to least, and start doing them one by one.^{[4]
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- Don't be afraid to strive for something that may take years to achieve. Time is of little consequence when you are working towards something you truly love.
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3
Create a vision board. A vision board is a poster with pictures you paste to it of the things you want in your life. The idea is to surround yourself with the places you want to travel, things you want to do, jobs you want to have, or dreams you want to achieve, so your life can begin changing to match those images.^{[5]
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- By having a visual representation of the things you want, it can help put you in the right mindset to achieve them.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Developing a Plan

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Figure out what it takes to accomplish your desires. In order to do anything you want, you need to learn the requirements to get there. Find out if your goals require college, training, or money. Once you figure that out, find out where you have to go for those services, or how you can acquire what you need.
- As with any project, groundwork and preparation pay off. Research it, cost it, and have a project plan.
2
Make a five-year plan. Don't just think about what you want in your life, but actively write out a detailed five-year plan on how you will get there. Try making a chart or spreadsheet that has categories for the things that are important to you and a column for each year.
- For example, you can make a row for education, career, or relationships that each has five columns, one for every year. Your year five will have your ultimate goal that you are working towards for each category.
- This is how you can distinguish your short-term and long-term plans.
If the goal you want to accomplish seems big and time-consuming, don't get intimidated. Break down the path that leads to your dreams into smaller, more manageable steps. This will allow you to experience more successes that will keep you motivated and on track.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Developing the Right Mindset

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1
Believe in yourself. In order to succeed, you have to believe that you are capable of realizing your dreams. Write down all of your best qualities and read through them every morning. Fill your thoughts with positive thinking.
- Tell yourself: "I can do anything, be anything, accomplish anything!" and don't forget it.
- Don't let anyone tell you what you are capable of. Nobody knows you better than you know yourself. Only you can truly know what your fullest potential could be. No one else can map that out for you.^{[8]
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  Kamila Tan
  Life and Recovery Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 24 June 2022.}
It may be hard to go hear one in person, but you can get inspired by the empowering words of others from online sources. Listening to others talk about their experiences, and how they found motivation, may help you get in the right place mentally to pursue your goals.^{[9]
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3
Don't be afraid of failure. It is normal to fear failure, but instead of letting it keep you from moving forward, learn from it. Use each tough experience you have as a learning tool to help you become wiser in the future.
- Realize that failure is a part of life that everyone goes through. To be successful, you have to constantly change and correct your path to get there.
4
Stay motivated with affirmations. Try writing messages on pieces of paper and stick them around the house. This could include great qualities about yourself or goals you are going to achieve. Every day you will have encouragement around you, even if it is from yourself!^{[10]
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- Use language like "I will," or "I am" when referring to your goals for the future. Avoid using language like "I wish" or "I should".
5
Take opportunities when they arise. In order to get where you want, you usually have to start at the bottom. Don't be afraid to do dirty work. The bottom is where many successful people begin to learn the ropes.^{[11]
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- For example, if you want to own a restaurant one day, don't feel discouraged if you have to start as the dishwasher first. Anything to get your foot in the door, and learn more about the job you eventually want, is a step in the right direction.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Finding Support

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Ask people close to you for advice on how to achieve your goals. They may have ideas and resources that can help you move closer towards doing what you want, and they will be by your side for the long run.
By joining communities filled with like-minded people, you can build connections and relationships that will help you figure out the best way to achieve what you want to do. This is one way to begin networking which can lead you to new opportunities.
If someone is offering to help you in whatever way possible, be humble and accept it. Do not feel ashamed to accept assistance from those who are willing to provide it.

Expert Q&A

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How do I know what career path I enjoy?

Kamila Tan
Life and Recovery Coach
Kamila Tan is a Recovery Coach, former Division I Collegiate Athlete, Inspirational Speaker, and Mental Health Advocate. She is the Founder of Embracing Strength LLC, a coaching business with the mission to provide support for athletes recovering from disordered eating and body image issues and provide support for their families. Kamila informs her work helping athletes pursue recovery with her experience playing beach volleyball as a Division I NCAA collegiate athlete. Kamila holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Health from the University of California at Los Angeles, and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.

Kamila Tan

Life and Recovery Coach

Expert Answer

Give yourself plenty of time to explore different career options and hobbies. Try lots of internships and work in different industries until you fall in love with something. Don't be afraid to switch things up you don't feel like your current job or hobby is a good fit!

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Tips

Be prepared for it to take time before some of your plans or dreams are realized.

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Compromise is not a dirty word, and having too much pride and ego can hurt you in the long run.

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Find out what makes you feel fulfilled, and never stop dreaming about all you can do.

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