How to Figure Out What to Do With Your Life

Which project would I most regret not having accomplished by the time I'm 80—given the motivations I have for the foreseeable future?

Our values change over time. It's not self-evident unless we self-assess. We self-assess by ordering our values and identifying which projects best satisfy them.

Order those values from most to least important today.

Remember that it's okay if your values change in the future. For now, just focus on:

The Personal Values exercise Write down the values you passionately care about when pursuing projects.

We universally lack the discipline to halt our inertia to ask, Should I still be doing what I'm doing?

Once you uncover what you should truly be doing—and you can wholeheartedly justify it to yourself—there's really nothing more empowering.

Don't forget to think long-term: value Knowledge and Exercising Talents while lessening the importance of Money.

For many, that list will include Knowledge, Adventure, Fame, Power, Money, Exercising Talent, and Human Connection.