“I’m not sure what to do next with my life.” It’s a familiar phrase I hear quite often these days. The economic downturn has created uncertainties and opportunities. People have lost jobs. Career paths that seemed promising a few years ago are now no longer viable. Quite often I talk with people whose lives are at a crossroads–sometimes of their choosing, most often not. Recently I heard Phil Cooke speak briefly about four questions we all should ask before deciding what to do next.

1. What comes easy for you? That’s what you are naturally gifted at doing.

2.What are you passionate about? What gets your pulse to quicken and your eyes to light up?

3. What do you hate? Perhaps you should solve that problem.

4. What do you want to leave behind? That’s your legacy…what you want to be remembered by.

Even if you are not looking to change careers, it’s interesting to answer these questions. Your answer to them might be a good gauge to how happy you are in your current career path.

After answering those questions, how do you feel about your job?