Finding meaning in life is important to most people. Even if you are not religious, you may feel as though there is a purpose for you in this lifetime, and it can be a driving force for some of the biggest decisions in your life. If you’re having trouble narrowing your focus toward a central goal (or a few), try following these tips.

Natural Aptitude

Everyone is good at something. That something can be complex, like neurosurgery, or more simple, like creating budgets. Our gifts often lie within a particular field, and this is almost always the best place to start when trying to find a path for your life. For example, if you’re great at science, you may want to look into the medical field, research, or even teaching. On the other hand, if you are charismatic and gifted with persuasion skills, you could enter sales, become an entrepreneur, or even enter the field of marketing. However, sometimes people don’t love things they’re good at. If this is the case for you, try looking toward…

Hobbies

What we love to do in our free time says a lot about us and can guide us toward paths that we may truly enjoy. For example, someone who has a small vegetable garden may find they enjoy outdoor work. This could lead to a career in landscaping. On the other hand, the family baker could take their skills commercial and open a wedding cake business. There are tons of jobs that directly correlate to hobbies, so this is a good place to start.

Family Matters

If you’re still stuck between a few options, thinking about familial intentions can help you choose. If you’d like to have a big family and become a stay-at-home parent, it might be a better idea to start a small business that you can run on the side. On the other hand, if you don’t plan on marrying or having kids, you may be able to spend more time on a career you really enjoy. Most people end up somewhere in-between, but it’s still important to consider how your ideal family will fit into your career.

Helping Others

At the end of the day, some people want nothing more than to help others. While you can do so in a number of professions, you may find that you get more out of working with a nonprofit, charity, or local government. Your options may be more limited if you are looking to pursue this avenue, but if you don’t, you may regret resigning yourself to a corporate lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but it’s worth considering whether this is the kind of route you would like to take.

Your career path may not be set in stone, but with most jobs clocking in at 8 hours each day, it’s important not to waste ⅓ of your life in a profession you hate. When trying to narrow down the right path for yourself, think carefully about these points, and weigh what is important to you. You may quickly find the profession you were looking for all along.