2 ways to discover what you were meant to do

November 29, 2012 — 18 Comments

discover what you were meant to do

Last night as we were watching television our youngest daughter Mallory was dancing up and down the hallway.  She was having the time of her life. The problem was (to me anyway) she was disturbing my show.

So after about 20 minutes of this I finally blurted out: “Mallory STOP dancing up and down the hallway!”  To which she quickly responded: “I can’t because I am doing what I was meant to do.”

Doing what you were meant to do

Not many people can say what Mallory said.  Granted, she is 7 years old and she sees dancing up and down the hallway as what she is meant to do, but she makes a great point.  In her mind, she was doing what she was meant to do and how dare I ask her to stop doing that.

This got me thinking (very dangerous, I know). How do you know that you are doing what you were meant to do? How do you discover what you were meant to do?

These are questions that many people have asked over the years. I don’t think the answer to these questions is as complicated as many people have made it out to be.

2 ways to discover what you were meant to do

1. Find your passion.

Here are few questions to ask to help you discover your passion:

  • What makes you smile?
  • What makes you lose time?
  • What can’t you stop talking about?
  • If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
  • What would you do for free because you love it so much?
  • What do you truly care about?
  • If you had 12 months to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now?

Some people hit on what their passion right out of the gate and carry the torch for it their entire lives. Just because you haven’t hit on it yet, doesn’t mean you don’t have any passion. Your passion may be new, or just hiding, but it’s there.

2. Find your strengths.

Here are few questions to ask to help you discover your strengths:

  • What energizes you?
  • What comes naturally to you?
  • What are you really awesome at doing?
  • What do you do differently from everyone else?
  • What makes you feel strong?

To help refine your list ask yourself: How well do these strengths describe me?  Then, share your strengths with those who know you best.  Ask them: “How well do you think these strengths describe me?”

discover what you were meant to do

What else would you add to discover what you were meant to do?

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Kevin Martineau

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I am the Pastor at Port Hardy Baptist Church on Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I am married to my best friend and I have three beautiful daughters.

18 responses to 2 ways to discover what you were meant to do

  1. Amber-Lee ( November 29, 2012 at 11:51 am

    Kevin!
    I am doing it! LOL, really! I’m glad I found you, after you found me, of course… ~Amber-Lee
    Amber-Lee ( recently posted…My Identity Crisis, Alaska Chick’s JourneyMy Profile

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  2. Steve Vernon November 30, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Hi Kevin -
    Man, you are speaking right to my heart here, and you’re daughter’s comment was the perfect analogy of what our response should be when we are doing what we discover that we have truly found our passion in life. When that happens, then no matter what people try to tell us, we can simply turn to them and say, “I’m sorry, I just can’t . . . and won’t . . . stop what I’m doing, because it’s exactly what I was meant to do.” Oh, to find such assuredness and joy in life!
    Steve Vernon recently posted…How Much Value Do You Put on Measuring and Tracking?My Profile

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  3. Matt Brett November 30, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    This is an easy one for me. I knew it without evening going through your lists, but unfortunately, what I’m meant to be doing isn’t something that benefits my family and won’t pay the bills.

    This being music – I’m a drummer, inherited the talent from my father, so it’s in me. I listen to music while I work (8-12 hours per day) and have always enjoyed playing music. More than anything. But being a musician requires touring, which means massive amounts of time away from my family (married with 2 daughters), and unless the band I’m playing for has seen huge commercial success, it won’t pay the bills.

    There’s always music as a hobby, but finding time for regular rehearsals and playing shows out of town takes up a lot of time. I haven’t played in a band for 8 years for these reasons.

    Also, being a drummer, I need a place to make (a lot) of noise. I’m not able to setup my drums at home right now, so they’re in road cases locked away in storage. Total bummer.

    Side note – I just moved to Sooke, on the southern end of the island. Love it here, but not a whole lot of musicians to jam with. ;)

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  4. Julie December 1, 2012 at 5:52 am

    Last July, I began to unearth a long dormant love of writing. I’ve written almost as much in the last four and a half months than I have in the prior 30 years combined. It remains to be seen which type of writing I will settle on. With one ebook out for adults, and a series of four children’s books in the works, it will be interesting to see which takes off.

    Sadly, as Matt said, it is not likely to put food on the table…unless… :)

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  5. Willena Flewelling December 1, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Someone once said to me, “Writing is what I do; it’s not who I am.” I can’t say that. Writing is what I am, in a very real sense. My husband says I LIVE to write.

    There is one thing I would add to your list. For some of us clueless or less-than-confident ones, we need to listen to what others are telling us we do well. Yes, we can listen to too many other voices, but I mean those who are telling us what resonates within our own hearts, if we are honest with ourselves. It took me a long, long time to accept the fact that I can write. I’ve been doing it for over 45 years, but I never believed I could write anything that others would find interesting.

    Thankfully the Lord has used His people to open my eyes. My mission is to edify, encourage and enlighten others through my writing. The day WILL come when all those books/stories I’ve been playing around with, come to life so others can read them.

    Willena
    Willena Flewelling recently posted…Digging the Good out of the BadMy Profile (dofollow)

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  6. Lisa December 3, 2012 at 2:27 am

    I’m starting to do it again Kevin. I absolutely love that quote! I have not seen that one before. I’ve always loved my jobs through my life and went to college after I started in them. Backwards of what most people do. I sort of fell into them by doing. I love learning by doing and experimenting. I guess any form of being creative is what I need – like air to breath. Thanks for sharing this one.
    Lisa recently posted…Can A Tweet Seats Event Create A Social Buzz?My Profile

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  7. Fatima December 4, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Many of us end up choosing career paths that we hardly enjoy walking on; that’s because we are not following our passions and that’s where we should know it’s not meant for us. Revisiting the highlighted points can actually give you the right direction; it worked for me:) Thanks for sharing.

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  8. David Merrill 101 December 4, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    It’s really important, Kevin, to connect with your real passion, and discover what you believe you were meant to be.

    It’s really the place to begin when you’re undertaking anything major in your life, be it choosing a major in college, or starting a business, or looking for a job.

    Very helpful guidelines you’ve given here for making the discovery.
    David Merrill 101 recently posted…Find Affiliate Products on ClickBankMy Profile

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  9. Abhishek December 7, 2012 at 5:48 am

    Sometimes kids teaches you a lot. Great points you have made here, Kevin. Some really good questions to ponder upon. Loved this share of yours. Thanks.

    Reply

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