There is a saying, “just tell me where I am going to die so I can never go there.” While the process of dying doesn’t work exactly that way, the saying speaks to the importance of avoiding mistakes instead of seeking perfection.

Here are some examples of how to re-frame the questions.

• Instead of seeking the perfect job, avoid the qualities of a job that you don’t want; then find that job that do not have those qualities.
• Instead of seeking the perfect vacation spot, avoid the qualities of a vacation spot that you would dislike; then find the vacation spot that do not have those qualities.

Below are some of what I have come up with after working in a few jobs (yes, I am a millennial.)

• I want to avoid stagnation.
• I want to avoid a long commute.
• I want to avoid purposelessness.
• I want to avoid heavy external distraction.
• I want to avoid disorganization. 

Below are some of what I have come up with after traveling a fair amount.

• I want to avoid traveling alone.
• I want to avoid unnecessary risks.
• I want to avoid extensive planning.
• I want to avoid unsanitary living situation.
• I want to avoid being in a metal tube for an extensive amount of time.

Below are some of what I have come up with after experimenting with a few hobbies. 

• I want to avoid being alone.
• I want to avoid spending a lot of money (It is a FI blog afterall.)
• I want to avoid nicheness. 
• I want to avoid unnecessary risks. 
• I want to avoid too much physical demand.

A few notes. 

• My points are intentionally short so you won’t get wrapped up in the details. For example, what I consider a long commute can be considered short in your opinion. 
• I also use bullet points instead of numbers because life is about trade-offs and at different point in life some qualities take precedence. 
• Lastly, the exercise is meant to be a short-cut but not an elimination of your self-discovery. At the same time, if the list eliminates the need for self-discovery, it would also deprive you of the joy of the exploration. 

So, are you ready to shorten your journey to your dream jobs, dream vacations, or dream hobbies?