If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed to know any new posts. Thanks for visiting!

by Mark Victor Hansen

How do successful people decide what unique goals they are going to accomplish? How do they know exactly what they want? How do they distinguish between what others want them to do, what society tells them they should do and what they really want to do with their lives? I believe everything you need to know about your passions and your true calling in life is within you right now. You only need to learn how to recognize this information and use it to accomplish your purpose(s) on this planet.

When people say things like: “The ocean is beautiful” or “There’s nothing more breathtaking than a sunset” do you ever find yourself robotically agreeing with them without consciously thinking about their statements? This is a common practice. What if,

when you really think about it, you discover you prefer mountain peaks to ocean views, or would rather watch the sun rise than set? Your opinions are your own – they belong to you. Never allow others to tell you what you think, who you are or what you should be doing with your life.

Some parents and families nurture children well. But in the process they instill in those same children certain expectation that stem from their own unfulfilled desires. How many adults do you know became a doctor or a lawyer because their parents wanted them to?

Did a friend of yours go into their family’s business because it was also expected of them?

If you have a burning desire to be what your parents, family and friends want you to be, that’s one thing. But if your true passion has nothing to do with medical school or the family business then it is your responsibility to follow your heart. Is this being selfish?

Absolutely – but it is your duty to accomplish your mission on earth. Are people going to be upset that you’re not doing what they want you to do? Sure they will – but do not be swayed by those who do not have the courage to follow their own dreams. You’re not responsible for the happiness of anyone but yourself. You were put here for a reason. Do the work you were born to do.

I want to help you discover why you are here and what it is that you need to do. This is a simple exercise that requires you to pay close attention to yourself and the world around you. All you have to do is ask yourself these questions every day, several times a day, for the next week.

1. What am I passionate about? (This question could be answered by looking at your hobbies, interests, charity work, etc.)

2. If I had all the money I could spend in 10 lifetimes, what would I do for free? (Would you read to sick kids/the elderly? Study medicine? Build furniture? Etc.)

3. Who are my mentors, my role models, the people I admire the most? What have these people accomplished that makes me respect them so much? Are they doing/have they done what I want to do?

Popularity: 11% [?]