How do you “figure out” what to do in life?

That's probably no bulletproof because there's probably as many ways to your true path as there are paths or people. So figuring out what to do with your life is something you probably have to figure out yourself.

But here's something that works: follow your feelings*, try as many things as possible, take calculated risks, figure out your limits and the limits of the world, when something's difficult or scary but you know you should do it anyway count to three and make yourself do it, reflect on your thoughts and feelings to gain understanding and insight into yourself, understand your story and tell your own story, take personal responsibility to improve things and don't blame others, be inspired not jealous, aim for results not reasons, stand up for yourself, deeply listen and know others thoughts and feelings, keep learning, keep a sharp mind and a soft heart, ask for help, and ask for what you want, choose your beliefs, and let other people choose theirs, take care of your body, have fun, see yourself in the future down the different paths you might choose see which one looks best to you and go towards that.

* follow your feelings because they are your truest guide and only real way to navigate the world and live your life (rather than someone else's). rationality without emotion is untethered and can't give you answers

Have fun

Life is what happens while you're making other plans.

Much in life is just plain old serendipity. A couple of my examples:

I met my current wife when I was tossing up whether to go to a party or not quite late in the evening. The door to the building was locked. I could have walked away, not bothering, and nearly did. But I decided to walk several hundred metres all the way around the building to another door which I knew would be unlocked.

We had sold our house and had planned to move to another state for part-time work within a few months. A week later my brother died in an accident, I had to stay to take over the family business. That completely changed our financial situation, to where we have no financial cares at all.

Another thing to 'listen to' is your dreams. Quite often your head will be telling you one thing, but your subconscious will be telling you something completely different in your dreams. Listen to those. You may not make a different decision, but you will make a more informed decision.

>I'm increasingly seeing people around me give serious thought to this question. Figuring out what to do in life? I thought I had figured things out, but now when I think again I feel doubtful. So, how do you "figure" things out in a way that it's bulletproof.

This is something they fail to teach in school because teachers tautologically don't know the answer.

Entrepreneurs also don't quite understand and often fall into serial startups until 1 works. Eventually they learn.

Marcus Aurelius has something to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-STKInWhpU

Here's probably the going book: https://lettinggobook.org/

Arnold's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ktRTWMX3M

I wouldn't bother. You need to enjoy and trust the process instead of staking everything on whether or not you complete some goal.

"The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why" - The Apocryphal Twain [0]

Quote is apocryphal, I know.

[0] https://marktwainstudies.com/the-apocryphal-twain-the-two-mo...

Accept that such decisions can change. It's virtually always something that's made with too little information/too young an age. In my case, it was stuff and courses I was interested in, guided by good mentors and hacker community.

Easy answer: you don’t and accept the ambiguity.