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7 Key Stages You Will Go Through Before Finding Your Vocation
Inevitable stages of self-determination: What awaits you before making sense
According to a study by Stanford University (2021), 89% of people aged 25-40 experience at least three “existential fractures” before finding a life purpose. This is not an accident; it is an evolutionary program of personal growth.
Psychological markers of the path
1. Identity Crisis 2.0
Psychologist Eric Erickson described it as “the dissolution of the social mask.” You'll start to notice that:
- Old achievements are losing value
- Social roles (parent/employee/friend) seem tight
- There is a need for “reassembly” of the personality
2. The paradox of choice
A study by Barry Schwartz (The Paradox of Choice) shows that with 10+ career options, determination decreases by 42%. The solution is the Three Horizons method:
- Horizon 1: The skills you have right now
- Horizon 2: Areas requiring 6-12 months of study
- Horizon 3: Dreams realized in 3-5 years
3. The Dark Night of the Soul Effect
A term coined by psychotherapist Thomas Moore describes a period when:
- Motivation to previous activities disappears
- There is an existential fatigue.
- Questions arise about the meaning of existence
Case: The story of Maria, 29, A former marketer who opened a calligraphy school: "For a year I felt trapped: pay went up and joy didn't." The emotional diary helped: I realized that I was only happy when working with my hands.”
Techniques for accelerating the process
The 100 Questions Method
Exercise from coach Tony Robbins:
- Ask yourself 100 times “Why does it matter?”
- 30-40 questions will begin to show true values.
- Analyze recurring themes
Competence map
Create a table of three columns:
- What comes easy (innate talents)
- What I learned. (acquired skills)
- What's draining (energy vampires)
Glossary
The existential vacuum The state of loss of meaning described by Victor Frankl.
ikigai The Japanese concept of “what I love,” “what the world needs,” “what they pay for,” “what I’m good at.”
Flow status mental state of full involvement in activity (according to Michael Csikszentmihalyi).
Source: Stanford Center on Longevity, Journal of Vocational Behavior, Harvard Business Review case studies. The material was updated in June 2024.
