Why you need to find direction in life

All too often I meet clients who have been struggling to find their way in life. I have also had times when I wasn’t sure whether the path I was on was the right one. It’s not always easy to know what will be best for your future. Often, what we think will make us happy doesn’t. There are however compelling reasons to take steps as early as you can towards your personal vision for your life.

Meaning and a life filled with purpose keeps hope and motivation alive

Making a general plan for your life creates structure and purpose for your life. The plan can always change but having an underlying reason for everything that you do leads to a life well-lived. You don’t need to be achieving, it can be that you want to live a life feeling free or you wish to learn something new every day. Perhaps education is an underlying value.

Creating a life plan allows you to check in and check your progress. Ask yourself, “Am I on track? Is my life going in a direction that feels right for me?” Without a life plan, days merge into one another without any direction. A life without purpose often leads to an identity crisis, anxiety and depression.

People act as if they will live forever

No one likes to contemplate their own mortality but the sooner you do, the better. I have had a chronic illness since I was born and this has focused my life on getting the most out of each day as much as possible. The time limit on my life has always been present and has served as a reminder that I must live in the moment and not waste time with people who aren’t good for me or doing activities that make me unhappy. Many people live according to the phrase: “When I have…A B or C, then I will be happy”.

Why wait? Work being as happy as you can be right this moment. Happiness is a choice and we are responsible for our own happiness. If you aren’t happy – ask yourself what you can change. What do you need to do or who do you need to speak to in order to improve your mood? Accepting that life is hard helps too – when we accept the tough times and the things we can’t change or control, we can still work at being happy in spite of it. We will all experience unhappiness, sadness etc but know that this will pass.

Time passes quickly – make the most of each day

Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. Do the things you have always wanted to – be curious about the world and check whether you discount possibilities before you have even started. Do you tend to hold self-limiting beliefs about yourself or the world that might be holding you back? As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t – you’re probably right.

You have nothing to lose by trying. If you fail, you can still pat yourself on the back for discovering and being curious. The more you discover the more you will understand about yourself. For me – time flies by when I spend time helping others or being around animals and nature. I also love travelling and do my best to integrate these values into my life. The greater the amount of values you add to your life – the happier you will be.

Act according to your values – always let them guide you

What is important to you? Do you value family and safety? Do you prefer to spend time alone in nature or with animals? Others may value learning and travelling. I have listed common values below – which ones are your top 10? Are you living a life in line with these values?

Common values

1. Acceptance: to be open to and accepting of myself, others, life etc
2. Adventure: to be adventurous; to actively seek, create, or explore novel or stimulating experiences

3. Assertiveness: to respectfully stand up for my rights and request what I want
4. Authenticity: to be authentic, genuine, real; to be true to myself
5. Beauty: to appreciate, create, nurture or cultivate beauty in myself, others, the environment etc

6. Caring: to be caring towards myself, others, the environment etc
7. Challenge: to keep challenging myself to grow, learn, improve
8. Compassion: to act with kindness towards those who are suffering
9. Connection: to engage fully in whatever I am doing, and be fully present with others
10. Contribution: to contribute, help, assist, or make a positive difference to myself or others

11. Conformity: to be respectful and obedient of rules and obligations
12. Cooperation: to be cooperative and collaborative with others
13. Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty
14. Creativity: to be creative or innovative
15. Curiosity: to be curious, open-minded and interested; to explore and discover
16. Encouragement: to encourage and reward behaviour that I value in myself or others
17. Equality: to treat others as equal to myself, and vice-versa
18. Excitement: to seek, create and engage in activities that are exciting, stimulating or thrilling

19. Fairness: to be fair to myself or others
20. Fitness: to maintain or improve my fitness; to look after my physical and mental health and wellbeing

28. Flexibility: to adjust and adapt readily to changing circumstances
29. Freedom: to live freely; to choose how I live and behave, or help others do likewise
30. Friendliness: to be friendly, companionable, or agreeable towards others
31. Forgiveness: to be forgiving towards myself or others
32. Fun: to be fun-loving; to seek, create, and engage in fun-filled activities
33. Generosity: to be generous, sharing and giving, to myself or others
34. Gratitude: to be grateful for and appreciative of the positive aspects of myself, others and life
35. Honesty: to be honest, truthful, and sincere with myself and others
36. Humour: to see and appreciate the humorous side of life
37. Humility: to be humble or modest; to let my achievements speak for themselves
38. Industry: to be industrious, hard-working, dedicated
39. Independence: to be self-supportive, and choose my own way of doing things
40. Intimacy: to open up, reveal, and share myself — emotionally or physically – in my close personal relationships

34. Justice: to uphold justice and fairness
35. Kindness: to be kind, compassionate, considerate, nurturing or caring towards myself or others

36. Love: to act lovingly or affectionately towards myself or others
37. Mindfulness: to be conscious of, open to, and curious about my here-and-now experience

38. Order: to be orderly and organized
39. Open-mindedness: to think things through, see things from other’s points of view, and weigh evidence fairly.

40. Patience: to wait calmly for what I want
41. Persistence: to continue resolutely, despite problems or difficulties.
42. Pleasure: to create and give pleasure to myself or others
43. Power: to strongly influence or wield authority over others, e.g. taking charge, leading, organizing

44. Reciprocity: to build relationships in which there is a fair balance of giving and taking
45. Respect: to be respectful towards myself or others; to be polite, considerate and show positive regard

46. Responsibility: to be responsible and accountable for my actions
47. Romance: to be romantic; to display and express love or strong affection
48. Safety: to secure, protect, or ensure safety of myself or others
49. Self-awareness: to be aware of my own thoughts, feelings and actions
50. Self-care: to look after my health and wellbeing, and get my needs met
51. Self-development: to keep growing, advancing or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience.

52. Self-control: to act in accordance with my own ideals
53. Sensuality: to create, explore and enjoy experiences that stimulate the five senses
54. Sexuality: to explore or express my sexuality
55. Spirituality: to connect with things bigger than myself
56. Skilfulness: to continually practice and improve my skills, and apply myself fully when using them

57. Supportiveness: to be supportive, helpful, encouraging, and available to myself or others

58. Trust: to be trustworthy; to be loyal, faithful, sincere, and reliable
59. Insert your own unlisted value here:
60. Insert your own unlisted value here:

Self-awareness is key

When you know yourself well, understand your boundaries, strengths and weaknesses -you will be more efficient at designing a life that works for you. I am always amazed at the clients I meet who have very little self-awareness or those who rarely engage in self-reflection. Self-awareness is the only way to self-actualise and is the best version of yourself. If you don’t, you will merge into the identity of another and live as an adjunct to their lives. Carve out your own life with your values underpinning everything you do.

Know what you like and make time for what works for you, no one else – just you. Be ‘wise-selfish’.

Brainstorm ways to be true to yourself, follow your dreams a live a life that brings out the best in you. Focus on what you are good at and consider the talents you have when designing your life. We are all good at something. Think about your natural inclinations.

The earlier you make plans, the quicker you will begin the trial-and-error process

The path to success is never straight-forward. Every experience in life teaches you something. Take note and adjust your approach as you go. Don’t give up at the first hurdle – successful people face struggles too – bankruptcy, rejection from peers and colleagues. Keep you self-belief high.

Enjoy the journey – this is so important. Live mindfully

In conclusion – always have a long term plan. Create short term and long term goals and regularly check in to ensure that you’re on the right track. Your older self will thank your younger self for its wisdom, determination and persistence.

Mandy X

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.