In an interview with Authority Magazine in October 2025, Dr. Mykim Tran shared how she discovered her life purpose and how to set goals that align with your true self. A preview of the interview is below.

Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?

I believe it was after I obtained my PhD and became a humanistic psychologist and behavioral researcher that I felt I discovered my life purpose, in helping individuals reach their potential and develop a meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling life. I also knew that this was my life purpose because I had been practicing humanistic principles all my life without realizing it until I learned about humanistic psychology during my PhD program. Because of that, I believe that is why humanistic psychology captivated me immediately when I discovered the field, as I had already been applying its principles in my life.

What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?

Step 1: Write down your positive experiences and hobbies. For each one, note the knowledge, skills, strengths, and talents you use.

Step 2: Identify the top three topics that keep showing up and are the strongest.

Step 3: Choose the top one and begin learning about it. Learning means finding ways to

gain a better understanding of the topic and how it can benefit you and others.

Step 4: After learning about your topic, take steps to apply it. Applying means creating blogs, articles, videos, infographics, programs, and services to share your knowledge, skills, and expertise with others.

Step 5: Repeat the process of learning and applying. Every time you learn something new, apply it. Then, look for ways to learn more to deepen your expertise. This should be a lifelong cycle of learning and applying.

The more excitement and motivation you have for what you’re doing, the closer you are to discovering your passion and life purpose. Your passion is something you do to help others. Your purpose is when you realize your passion fulfills a need in the world.

Click here to access the full interview.