From the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night, we all do countless tasks. We all have plans for the future, and everyone is obsessed with one thing: “success.” However, it is often seen that 80% of people’s plans for achieving success remain just dreams or words. The reason? They don’t know who they are, what their purpose in life is, or where their destination lies. Without clarity on these questions, they keep dreaming day and night. At the very beginning of life’s journey, it is essential to find answers to these questions, which will help us move forward on the path to our dreams with greater momentum. Some might wonder, what role do these questions play in achieving success? Well, let’s explore why knowing the answers to these questions is so crucial in our lives.
Who Are You, and What Is Your Worth?
Knowing oneself is not just something we should do; it is our responsibility. If a person doesn’t even know themselves, what will they know about the world? Education begins with self-awareness. When a person starts to understand themselves, they also begin to recognize their worth. None of us are insignificant in this world. Even the person who pushes a cart returns home at the end of the day to a family where they are someone’s father, son, husband, or brother. Therefore, we must learn to value ourselves, and that lesson begins with knowing ourselves.
The wise Gautama Buddha said,
“You, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
Isn’t that true? If I cannot love myself, why would anyone else? When a person, regardless of their profession or status in society, can love themselves, others begin to respect them. Many people are well-established in society but fail miserably in their personal lives because they don’t understand their worth.
If you don’t know who you are, and what your strengths and weaknesses are, how will you move forward in life? It’s like walking blindly without knowing the direction. But if you know your destination and the tools you have to reach it, success is almost certain. So, from today, promise yourself that you will prioritize self-worth. Like the saying, “Fix yourself, and the world will fix itself,” maintain your individuality and move forward on the path to fulfilling your dreams.
What Is Your Purpose in Life?
Even a simple pen has a purpose—it will remain a writing tool as long as it has ink. So, how can we, as living beings, live without a purpose? After understanding your worth, the next question is: What is the purpose of this valuable life? What will drive you to wake up every day and start anew? Did I come into this amazing world for no reason?
The answers will not be the same for everyone. Your answer will be different from anyone else’s, and that’s natural. We are all unique, with different thoughts, perspectives, and positions in life. Your task is to figure out what purpose will drive you forward in life.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Only you can determine what is true for you. So, look deep within yourself and ask: What do you want to be? What activity brings you genuine joy and gives you the motivation to live? Rest assured, you will find your purpose. Remember, you are competing with yourself. When you do something with genuine love and purpose, you will undoubtedly feel a sense of fulfillment.
What Is Your Destination in Life?
Imagine you are sitting at a train station. You have all the necessary resources to survive, you are healthy, strong, and enthusiastic. You want to embark on a journey with all your strength and abilities. But you don’t know which train to board—the one that will take you to your destination. If you board the wrong train, you will end up in the wrong place. Since you don’t know where you’re going, despite being fully prepared, you’ll have no choice but to sit at the station feeling disheartened.
Not having a clear destination in life is exactly like that. Self-assessment and defining your purpose will all be in vain if you don’t have a destination in life. Even with everything else in place, you will stumble at every step.
As Antonio Machado said,
“Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking.”
Yes, this is the truth. Not everyone in life goes to the same destination. Everyone creates their path as they walk. You, too, must figure out what yours is. Successful people often say that they could see their success long before it materialized because they had a clear idea of their destination. Therefore, knowing your destination is an essential part of a successful life. Success doesn’t always come on a straight path. Everyone’s path to success is different, but there must be a path.
As Clayton M. Christensen said,
“There are direct paths to a successful career. But there are plenty of indirect paths, too.”
From now on, figure out what your path is. If you know where you are heading, the confidence to overcome all possible obstacles on that path will naturally arise within you.
Finally, all our lives are indeed different. As humans, everyone’s strengths and abilities are different, so the answers will vary—that’s the rule. But moving forward in life without knowing the answers is sheer foolishness. There is no greater virtue than knowing oneself. So, from now on, whatever you aspire to excel in, find the answers to these questions and move forward on the path of your chosen endeavor.
