Finding the True Gift and Passion

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I got some advice during my contemplation and pondering. It suggests answering the following questions when we are clueless about our passion and calling, our life goals, and the path to follow. I am writing this post as a personal medium of expression as well as something worth sharing for those who are also puzzled by life goals and career path decisions. Here are those questions:

1. What are my ten best skills?
   a. Writing (anything, but preferably related to economics, psychology, and philosophy)
   b. Conducting literature review
   c. Observing (anything)
   d. Collecting and organizing data
   e. Analyzing data
   f. Learning quickly and being adaptive
   g. Creative thinking
   h. Interpersonal communication
   i. Visualizing data
   j. Critical thinking

Based on answers to question (1)

2. What do people say, or what achievements have I accomplished?
   a. Passionate in economics and doing research
   b. Cum Laude in undergraduate and master’s study
   c. Journal publications
   d. Deep/narrow thinking
   e. More inclined to idealistic
   f. Determination
   g. Willing to pursue goals
   h. Being organized
3. What activities do I enjoy the most?
   a. Writing (anything, but preferably related to economics, psychology, and philosophy)
   b. Conducting literature review
   c. Observing (anything)
   d. Collecting and organizing data
   e. Analyzing data
   f. Visualizing data
   g. Critical thinking
4. What would I voluntarily do without getting paid?
   a. Writing (anything, but preferably related to economics, psychology, and philosophy)
   b. Conducting literature review
   c. Observing (anything)
   d. Collecting and organizing data
   e. Analyzing data
   f. Visualizing data
   g. Critical thinking
5. What are the skills that I learned by myself?
   a. Writing
   b. Observing and making analysis
   c. Critical thinking
   d. Analyzing data
   e. Visualizing data
6. What is my life vision?
   Make the most of my skills, passion, and opportunity to use my talents for serving and praising God, inspiring others, and self-fulfilling. I see myself in the upcoming 5-10 years as a full-time researcher (economist) at a research institute/think-tank institution/consultant, doing research about economics, participating in seminars and conferences, becoming a speaker, and disseminating my research papers, particularly on international trade topics, and a part-time lecturer teaching international economics.
7. Who are my idols?
   Richard Baldwin, Paul Krugman (honorable mention: Kiki Verico, Amanda Kerr)
8. How do I evaluate myself?
   generous, kind, soft-hearted, analytical, mostly rational/objective, deep thinker, indecisive, passionate, idealist, somewhat perfectionist
9. Have my vision aligned with my romantic partner?
   I have no romantic partner at the moment I answer this question.
10. How do I want to spend the rest of my life?
    I desperately want to do economics research, teach international economics, and retire as a researcher (economist) and lecturer.

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