How to know if you’re on the right path in life? Hmm, I think that we tend to overcomplicate things so I’m going to make this as simple as I can (while still taking care of my SEO). I believe that you can sum up all the signs you’ll hear of in the one sign that you’re on the right path, and that is you being happy. If you’re not happy, you’re on the wrong path. You’re doing something that’s not making you feel good and feel free to experiment to find the right path.
This has come to me last week while I was wandering through the main cemetery in Vienna. As I was standing in the middle of the cemetery where there were literally signs of which path leads to what, I was taking that whole cemetery walk very metaphorically. There were about 5 or 6 different paths and I wanted to take the one that was the most beautiful, with various monuments etc., but I had no idea which one was the most beautiful one. So I just started walking.
And that’s the thing with life – you have no idea how the path you take is going to look like. There’s certain bliss in that uncertainty of life. As we know, when nothing is certain, everything is possible. But you can choose whichever path you want. There were no shortcuts or previews of all these paths. I had no idea what either one of them is going to be like.
Cue: Journal prompts to get you thinking if you’re on the right path
So I want you to ask yourself, are you happy with where you are right now? Are you doing the job you like? Or are you in college studying what you’re the most passionate about? Do you like your hair? Yes, even the small things matter. Are you in a relationship? Are you with the person that brings out the best in you?
Look around your room. Are there some things you want to get rid of? Do you need to wash your sheets? Is the pillow you’re sleeping on comfortable (if you use a pillow… #TheOtherLevelOfMinimalism)? Are there some books you’d like to catch up on?
Look at the list of people you’re following on Instagram. Is there anyone that makes your eyes roll every time you see their pictures? Is there anyone you haven’t talked to in the past few months? Would you like to send them a message to ask them how they’re doing?
Take a deep breath. When was the last time you had a good sleep? When was the last time you drank a glass of water?
How are you feeling? What do you see? What do you hear? What’s the best thing that has happened to you today?
We are constantly rushing through life and we rarely ask ourselves how are we feeling. And yet, that’s the first thing we ask our friends when we see them. So after you’ve thought about where you are in life and what are some things you like, or you don’t like, you can start thinking if you’re on the right path. In my opinion, the right path is the one that makes you feel good. Simple as that. And if you’re doing something you don’t like, you have a complete power to change it.
Yes, it’s easy to say that your parents are forcing you to do something or you don’t have the time to go after the life you want because of … (insert whatever makes you believe it). But it’s never someone else’s fault. No one is stealing your time. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. We all have only the present moment to focus on. Therefore if you’re not happy with your present moment, change it.
Imagine your ideal day and be very detailed about it. Write it down on paper. Would you go to the gym on your ideal day? Get a massage, read a book, attend Tony Robbins workshop, work on building your business? And then, write out how you spent yesterday. Or today, if the majority of the day has already passed when you’re reading this. What did you do yesterday? Watched Netflix, overate for dinner, was late for work? Write it all out and realize what are the differences between your current reality and your desired reality.
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Video: Lavendaire – How to figure out what to do with your life (Ikigai/career sweet spot) + free worksheet
And now to the fun part – scheduling what needs to be done. If you’re only visualizing your ideal day, I don’t think you’re going to live it soon enough. What you need to do is to start walking on the right path. Plan out what you need to do this week or in the next 6 months that will bring you closer to living your ideal days. While you’re doing that, remember to think about now.
All you ever have is the present moment, so do more of what you enjoy. I believe that everyone deserves to be happy, so if you’re not happy with where you’re at – change it. At the end of the day, you only have your own life to live. Are you living it based on other’s opinions of what is the best for you? My grandpa just the other week has told me that I should apply to take the exam for a tourist guide because the diploma I would get would be a good thing to have when I start looking for a job later. And I told him that that diploma is not what I want to have.
He is still thinking about it and just yesterday told me again that I made a mistake by turning down that offer. We didn’t have a fight or anything, I accepted his opinion because as most 80-year-olds, he too thinks that diplomas and 9-to-5 jobs are the safest bet. But nowadays when I see people all over the world creating their dream job, I am willing to bet on myself. I am willing to believe in myself and my potential, and start creating my dream job, instead of looking for it.
Hence I encourage you to believe in yourself and start using your full potential. Create your dream life. Create your desired reality and do whatever makes you feel excited. If it’s starting a band, starting a YouTube channel, creating a website, writing a book while you’re traveling through Egypt digging up bones… You are your only limit.
I will conclude this post with my favorite quote of all times. The one I even had written on my closet as a 14-year-old, a that is ”And all may do what has by man been done.”
Create your ideal life. Ditch everything you don’t like and start doing things you enjoy. And don’t settle for any less.
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Video: Muchelle B – How to live a more interesting life
Q: What is the one thing you are going to do today that you will absolutely enjoy? Let me know in the comments.
Have a great day,
I.
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Masooma says
Oooh this an interesting post, Ivana. It definitely boils down to how happy and at peace we are, which helps us determine if we’re on the right path. Great journal prompts. 🙂
Ivana says
Hi Masooma,
yes, thank you so much! Glad you liked it 🙂
Kate Findley says
Wonderful points! I think too many of us (myself included) try to overcomplicate things. We think we must push ourselves from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed so that someday we can become a millionaire and then live the life of our dreams. But why not start living the life of our dreams NOW? Yes, it may not include a house in the hills or traveling to exotic locales, but for me, an ideal day involves spending time in nature or reading a good book…and you don’t need to be rich to partake in these activities.
Ivana says
Hey Kate,
I definitely agree. Adding those little things that make us happy into our daily lives is a great way to start enjoying our lives more.
Susan Peck/Call To Excellence says
I love this! Sometimes the simplest answer is the best answer – I know I’m constantly looking for signs from the universe that I’m on the right path and second guessing myself. I like the idea of using happiness, or joy, as a guidepost. Also love the tip about designing a day, or week, based on what would make me happy, and then working to create that reality. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ivana says
Hey Susan,
so glad you liked this post and that you found it inspiring. Yes, visualizing and writing out your ideal day is so much fun, and it gives you clarity on what actually you want to do, instead of what you ”should” be doing.
dani says
You got me at “I am willing to believe in myself and my potential, and start creating my dream job, instead of looking for it.” I love your article and it is motivating and encouraging to continue creating the life I want to live.
Ivana says
Hey Dani,
glad to hear that. We are often our own worst critics, but to enjoy our lives more we could try encouraging ourselves and see where that’s going to lead us. We are capable of so much more than what we think.
Karina says
I really loved the quote: “If you’re doing something you don’t like, you have complete power to change it”! It’s so much easier to blame someone else than to acknowledge that it’s up to you to make changes. But once you realise that, so many possibilities open up!
And I completely agree that the best indicator of whether you’re on the right path is happiness. If you’re not happy and can’t imagine staying on the same path for the rest of your life, it’s most likely the wrong one.
Ivana says
Hey Karina,
I completely agree with what you said. Once we realize we have the complete power over our lives, there is absolutely no limit on what we can achieve.