A note to all of those struggling to figure out their next thing.

Hey, you!

Yes you.

The one who’s been looking around, seeing people living their dreams, starting their own businesses, startups, consultancies, KickStarters, and on and on, and getting more and more frustrated.

The one who’s scary smart and talented but just can’t crack the “what should I be doing” nut.

The one who’s always envied others abilities to be single-minded in their pursuits. Or who are really really into one thing (food, community service, bats, whatever) whose lives center around applying that single interest in different aspects.

The one who’s been stuck.

I have a helpful reality check for you.

This is not going to be one of those posts where the poster tells you to quiet your mind and let your true intention and reason for being on the planet rise naturally.

We both know that’s not going to happen for you. That there is no one answer. That the answer is “I’m interested in a bunch of things a lot, but no one thing a ton more than anything else”

Those posts are fucking frustrating.

Here’s the secret.

You don’t have to look for the answer.

In fact, stop looking.

Your job is to go do stuff.

Find a way to spend your time that’s fun and natural for you.

Don’t worry if it is going to map you toward some larger life destiny. Don’t worry that you will be wasting time if you’re not sure that its “taking you in the right direction”

This is not a waste of time.

Measuring everything against some imagined “thing you should be doing” is a waste of time and keeps you from doing interesting stuff.

Stop thinking that it’s not going to give you a moment of clarity. Moments of clarity are not the point.

There doesn’t have to be a theme.

Let me say that again.

There doesn’t have to be a theme.

Just do some stuff that feels natural for you and lets you stretch a bit.

When you’re pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, the direction you’re facing is the least important part.

Sincerely,

Someone who has no experience with this particular challenge whatsoever.