“So what do you want to do with your life?”
I’ve had so many people ask me this question. In my current season of life (graduating high school, starting college, getting a job, etc.), it is the standard question to ask. Usually I answer a very vague, “I’m commuting to the University of West Georgia,” and the asker is satisfied. Sometimes they follow up with, “What are you going to major in?” I reply, “This may change, but right now I’m planning on majoring in Film.” People are usually satisfied after that.
So to anyone who doesn’t know me, in the fall I plan on commuting to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA and majoring in Film. I have no idea if I will stay all four years at UWG. I have no earthly idea what job I want to do. I don’t even know if I’ll be in Georgia this time next year!
Whether you are in high school, college, just got your first job, or are married and have four kids, life is full of unknowns. It’s okay not to know what college you want to go to. It’s okay not to know what you want to major in. It’s okay not to know what job you want. People ask me all the time, “What do you want to do with your Film degree?” I say, “Well, I actually have no idea! All I know is I love the art of filmmaking, and I love people.”
I constantly wrestle with the question, “So what do you want to do with your life?” I constantly have a new idea of what I could do or major in. I stress myself out a lot trying to figure out the rest of my life. But through this process of trying to figure out what resonates with my heart, I’ve learned some cool things about God (with the help of some wise council).
1. You don’t have to know what you want to do.
It’s okay to be confused. God doesn’t say you have to have everything figured out all the time. He just wants you to pursue Him with all your heart. Once you start pursuing Him, He will reveal the future to you. It might not be very dramatic. It might feel like it takes FOREVER. But trust that He will.
2. Keep moving forward.
Keep taking steps forward. God never said to just stand still and wait. Research careers, look up schools, shadow people, talk to people. Take steps towards your goal. Try things. The only way you will know if you like doing something is to try it!
3. Write on a chalkboard.
I have a close mentor who has a huge chalkboard wall in her house. We dream all over the wall. We write random ideas that pop into our heads. We write jobs. We write adjectives. Anything and everything that we think of we write down. Then we look at everything and pick out what stands out to us. It helps so much to just write down all the thoughts swirling in your head.
4. Find a dream team.
Find a few close people to dream and share your heart with. You don’t have to share every little thing with every person. Only about four people know all the ideas and passions in my heart. Find your dream team and dream wild and crazy dreams together.
5. Don’t be afraid to fail.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before. “Failure is the best teacher.” But it actually is. If you think you might like something, try it! If you fail, GREAT! You have found something that didn’t work. Try something different. Learn from your failures. God doesn’t ask or expect you to be perfect. He wants your heart, not your perfection.
So I’d like to encourage you as the next school year starts. It’s okay not to know what the future holds. It’s okay to be confused. God invites you on a grand adventure with Him. Sometimes it’s hype; sometimes it’s boring; sometimes it’s slow; sometimes it’s fast-paced. But God is inviting you into the unknown with Him. It’s completely terrifying, but it’s the greatest adventure you will ever go on.