What do I want to be when I grow up?

Not sure what you want to do when you grow up? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out your future, but asking yourself the right questions can help. Here are four fun and thought-provoking questions to guide you:

1. Are You Introverted or Extroverted?

Do you love being around people and feel energized after socializing? Or does being in a crowd tire you out, even if you enjoy it? This is the key difference between an extrovert and an introvert.

Knowing which one you are can help you decide if you’d enjoy a career that involves lots of interaction (like working in sales or customer service) or one where you can focus more on solo projects (like being an artist, writer, or programmer).

2. What Bothers You the Most?

What’s one thing that really annoys or upsets you? For example, when I was younger, I hated seeing pollution and smog in my city. I didn’t realize back then that I could do something about it, but now I know it’s possible to make a difference.

Think about what bothers you. Maybe it’s deforestation hurting animals, a gadget that could be way better, or even feeling too shy to make new friends. Whatever it is, you might be the person to solve it. Sometimes the things that frustrate you the most point to your unique purpose.

3. If You Were Guaranteed Success, What Would You Do?

Grab a pen, paper, and a timer. Set the timer for 20 seconds. Ready? Now answer this question:

If you could do anything you want and know you’d succeed, what would it be?

Don’t overthink it—just write down whatever comes to mind. Your answer might be the dream you’ve been hiding deep down.

4. What Makes Time Fly?

What are three activities that make an hour feel like 10 minutes? These are things you get totally lost in, in a good way.

For example, when I’m editing videos, two hours feels like 30 minutes. On the other hand, when I’m at a trade show meeting lots of people, an 8-hour day feels like 3 days!

What are the activities that make you lose track of time? You don’t have to love them, but they should leave you feeling satisfied when you’re done. One of these could point you toward your purpose.

Find the Pattern

Once you’ve answered these four questions, look for patterns. Do the same themes or ideas keep coming up? If so, you might have just found a clue about what you’re meant to do.

Remember: Don’t let other people’s opinions, money, or what’s “popular” distract you. Your future should reflect who you are and what you’re passionate about.