Finding Your Calling and Setting Goals: Discover Your Passion and Purpose in Life

Series 01 Blog 01 - Barnali

The content of this blog is now available as a podcast too. If you are an auditory consumer of wisdom, listen to this scintillating exchange below:

As a school student, you're at an exciting stage of life – full of choices, challenges, and chances to grow.

Have you ever asked yourself:

• What makes me feel excited during the day?

• Which subject or activity makes time fly? What kind of problems do I enjoy solving?

These little questions can lead you to big answers… like discovering your passion and purpose.

Remember, it’s not just about picking a future career. It’s about understanding what makes you feel alive and motivated. Maybe you love helping friends understand science, sketching fashion in your notebook, or organizing events at school – that’s your spark!

Here’s a quick challenge:

Grab a notebook and jot down 3 things you enjoy doing and 2 things you’re naturally good at. Is there a connection? That might be your clue!

You’re not alone on this journey – your school, your teachers, even your everyday metro ride can inspire you.

So take a deep breath, explore with an open mind, and remember: Your calling isn’t something you find overnight. It’s something you grow into – one small step at a time.

Here’s what you need to do:

1.       Explore Diverse Interests

The educational landscape is evolving, offering students like you a variety of opportunities in current times. I have spent a notable period of my professional life in the Delhi NCR area. What I noticed here (and I am sure it is true for most cities in India) is that many schools here are equipped with modern facilities like smart boards, libraries, advanced labs, and sports amenities. These provide an excellent environment to delve into different subjects and both co- and extra-curricular activities. Engage in various clubs, attend workshops, and participate in community service to uncover what truly resonates with you.

2.       Reflect on Personal Experiences

Your daily experiences can offer insights into your passions. Pay attention to the different activities that make you lose track of time or topics you enjoy discussion with your peers and teachers. Reflecting on these moments can help identify areas that align with your interests.

3.       Seek Guidance

Don't hesitate to approach teachers, school counselors, or family members for advice. They can provide perspectives based on your strengths and interests. With so many diverse fields of interest available in schools, the young students have a lot of work in their journey of self-discovery.

4.       Set SMART Goals

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals help you test your interests, track what lights you up, and build habits around what truly matters to you. That’s how you start shaping your purpose – step by smart step.

• When you set a Specific goal like “I want to try sketching three outfits this week” instead of just “I want to be more creative,” you get clearer about what excites you. Clarity leads to discovery.

• By Measuring your progress, like how much time you spend reading about science or practicing dance, you can see which activities you naturally stick with. That’s a clue to your passion.

• Pick goals that match your current resources, and therefore are more likely to be Achievable* – like “Interview two alumni in my dream career this semester” instead of “Land my dream job now” – keeps you more motivated. Small wins build momentum and reveal what’s truly within your reach.

• Setting goals that are Realistic* (like “Join the school debate team this month” or “Practice coding for 30 minutes after school three times a week”) helps you explore new interests without feeling overwhelmed or burned out. Small, doable steps build confidence – and reveal hidden talents.

• With a deadline, you're more likely to take action. Time-bound goals create momentum, which helps you move from just thinking about your interests to exploring them. Deadlines like “Finish my college application essay draft by October 15th” or “Learn 10 new French words every Friday for a month” turn vague dreams into action. Time limits keep you focused and show you what’s worth pursuing long-term.

*Key Difference between Achievable vs. Realistic

• Achievable: “Can I do this with my current skills/time?” (e.g., “Start a study group with friends”).

• Realistic: “Does this align with my bigger priorities?” (e.g., “Balance debate club with exam prep”).

If you enjoy writing and expressing your thoughts, a relevant SMART goal could be: “I will write one article for the school newsletter every month for the next 3 months.” Remember, “SMART goals aren’t about perfection—they’re about progress. The more you try, the closer you get to the work (and life) that feels like you.”

Note: We will talk a lot more about SMART goals in my next blog post.

Once you've identified your interests, based on SMART goals, you can be involved in those areas.  You can even discuss any project you are interested in with your peers and teachers who can guide you in the best way possible.

Remember, it's perfectly okay if your passions and goals change over time. You’re growing, learning, and discovering new things every day – and that’s the beauty of this journey!

Stay curious, try out new experiences, and don’t be afraid to explore different paths. Each step, even the small ones, helps you understand yourself better.

By setting thoughtful goals and staying open-minded, you’re not just shaping your future – you are building a life that feels meaningful to you and makes a difference in the world around you.

So… take that first step. Dream big, start small, and keep moving forward – your purpose is waiting to be discovered.