rationalskepticism.org

"This is what I want to do for the rest of my life" was too big a decision for me to make when I was a student. So here's what I did:  I made the best choice I could, and made a deal with myself that I would commit to it for only four years. Then I'd reevaluate: is this still what I want to do? Am I having enough success to warrant continuing? Is there something else that's really calling to me? Then I'd make another commitment for a few years. Repeat. The interval varied - sometimes 3 years, sometimes 2, sometimes 4. But the main idea was to only commit for a few years at a time, and then do a serious reevaluation. That way I was never faced with the decision of "the rest of my life". I was keeping myself open to life's changes and other possibilities. And I was leading the examined life - always a good thing. 

If you do this, don't choose too short a time to commit to something. 6 months is too short; you might have a bad or a good 6 months for reasons that have nothing to do with your choice. You need a least a few years, I think, to see what you really feel about it.

I've continued to do this. (47 yrs old now.) Not always easy, but for me the best way.


Edited to add: the results for me: I've alway chosen to continue in music. But two big advantages came of this scheme that I didn't foresee. First, my relationship with music is stronger, I think, for it. Second, I think I've a more well-rounded self-education than I would otherwise have.