Tag: life

Personal Development

How to Discover Your Calling in Life: A Real Talk Guide 

danmolgan

If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering, “What am I really meant to do with my life?” you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Whether you’re in your twenties trying to figure out your path, or in your forties feeling like you took a wrong turn somewhere, the search for your life’s calling is deeply personal, and often confusing. But the good news? You can find it. You just have to be willing to listen to yourself more than you listen to the noise. Here’s a grounded, no-fluff guide to discovering your calling in life.

1. Stop Chasing What Looks Good and Start Noticing What Feels Right 

Let’s be honest: it’s easy to chase titles, salaries, or the things that sound impressive. But your calling isn’t always shiny or socially approved. It’s that thing that lights you up, even if it doesn’t make sense to other people. Pay attention to moments when you feel most you. That’s the real signal. Try this: Think back to the last time you were so into something that you lost track of time. What were you doing? That’s not random. That’s a clue.

2. Audit Your Curiosity 

Your calling often hides behind your curiosity. The stuff you randomly research late at night, the podcasts you binge, the topics you bring up in every conversation, even if it seems trivial—is where the gold is. Tip: Keep a “Curiosity Journal” for a week. Write down everything that grabs your attention, even if it feels silly. Patterns will show up.

3. Experiment Boldly, Fail Fast 

The myth that your calling will show up one day like a divine message is just that, a myth. You find it by doing, not overthinking. Try internships, side hustles, volunteer work, or passion projects. Don’t wait to be ready. You’ll never feel 100% ready. Jump in anyway.

4. Listen to Your Inner Voice Over Outer Expectations 

Everyone has an opinion about what you should do. But only you have to live your life. If you’re trying to live up to someone else’s version of success, you’ll always feel off. Your calling isn’t a performance, it’s an alignment. Ask yourself: If no one ever judged me or questioned my choices, what would I pursue?

5. Notice What You Can’t Not Do 

Some things keep pulling you back no matter how many times you try to ignore them. Maybe it’s writing. Maybe it’s helping people through tough times. Maybe it’s designing things, or solving messy problems. If it keeps resurfacing, it’s not a hobby. It might be your purpose knocking.

6. Don’t Confuse Calling With Career 

Your calling doesn’t always mean your job. You might find purpose in parenting, mentoring, creating, organizing, or healing—even if your day job pays the bills in the meantime. The goal is to bring your calling into your career eventually, or let it run parallel until it grows into something bigger.

7. Give It Time But Stay In Motion 

Finding your calling isn’t a one-time event. It unfolds. You’re not late, and you’re not behind. But you do need to stay active. Try things. Reflect. Pivot. Repeat. Keep learning and evolving. Life has a funny way of connecting the dots when you keep showing up.

Find your calling

 Your calling isn’t hiding from you—it’s waiting for you to slow down, listen, and trust what you find. It’s not about being extraordinary. It’s about being authentically you. And once you lock into that, everything starts to shift. So ask the real questions. Follow the sparks. Trust your gut. And give yourself the grace to figure it out one step at a time. You’ve got this.

Personal Development

The Role of Luck: How to Live a Luckier Life

danmolgan

Luck, a concept as elusive as it is intriguing. Some believe it’s random, others call it fate, and a few argue it’s the product of hard work meeting opportunity. Regardless of how you define it, there’s no denying that luck can shape lives in extraordinary ways. But here’s the good news: while you can’t control luck entirely, you can increase your chances of encountering it. Here’s how.

What is Luck?

Luck is often described as success or failure brought about by chance rather than effort. Yet, it’s rarely as simple as winning a lottery ticket. Many forms of “luck” are a combination of preparation, perspective, and persistence. Think of it as an intersection where preparation meets opportunity, sprinkled with a bit of randomness.

The Role of Luck in Success

Luck plays a significant role in success, from being born into a supportive environment to meeting the right mentor at the right time. But people often overlook the effort that amplifies the effects of luck. Successful individuals rarely attribute everything to luck; instead, they focus on creating conditions that make them more “luck-prone.”

As author James Clear writes in Atomic Habits, “You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Luck, then, may be the result of building systems that allow you to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.

How to Live a Luckier Life

You may not control when luck strikes, but you can position yourself to catch it when it does. Here’s how:

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Lucky people often interpret events positively. A missed job offer might be seen as a stepping stone to something better. By reframing setbacks as opportunities, you create mental resilience that keeps you open to future possibilities.

2. Expand Your Network

Luck often comes through people. The more connections you build, the more opportunities you create for serendipitous encounters. Attend events, join communities, and nurture genuine relationships. The friend of a friend could one day introduce you to a life-changing opportunity.

3. Be Curious and Take Risks

Curiosity drives exploration, and exploration increases your exposure to new opportunities. Try different hobbies, explore new fields, or take calculated risks. Sometimes, luck is hiding in places you’ve never thought to look.

4. Stay Prepared

Opportunity favors the prepared. Sharpen your skills, stay informed, and be ready to act when opportunities arise. This might mean learning a new language, perfecting a craft, or staying physically and mentally healthy.

5. Embrace Gratitude

Gratitude shifts your focus toward the positive aspects of your life, making you more aware of opportunities already around you. By appreciating what you have, you create a mindset that naturally attracts more of the same.

6. Keep Showing Up

Persistence is underrated in the realm of luck. Keep putting yourself in situations where luck could strike, whether it’s attending networking events, applying for that dream job, or honing your craft every day.

The Luck Equation

Think of luck as a formula:

Luck = Preparation + Opportunity + Action

Preparation ensures you’re ready, opportunity provides the opening, and action makes the most of it. Neglect any part of the equation, and your chances of being “lucky” diminish.

When Luck Doesn’t Seem to Be on Your Side

It’s easy to envy someone else’s “lucky break,” but remember, luck isn’t distributed evenly. Instead of dwelling on what you can’t control, focus on what you can. Turn obstacles into learning experiences and setbacks into stepping stones.

Get Lucky

Luck isn’t just about chance, it’s about creating the conditions for chance to work in your favor. By adopting a proactive, optimistic approach to life, you’ll not only feel luckier but also create opportunities where others see none. And who knows? The next time someone calls you “lucky,” you’ll smile, knowing you had a hand in making your own fortune. So, go out there, embrace life’s uncertainties, and remember: the harder you work—and the smarter you live, the luckier you get.